Kolar, 16 October

Incessant rain hit Kolar taluk around 12 pm on Friday, flooding the Anganwadi centre in Nadamballi village at lunchtime. The water left no room to sit, forcing 13 children to eat their lunch standing up.

The centre is presently functioning in the village community hall, according to Ravikumar E, Child Development Project Officer (CDPO) of Kolar taluk. 

He added that the road in front of the building had recently been raised, which likely caused rainwater to flow into the premises.

Since the children were having their lunchtime break, the centre’s staff did not immediately see the water entering the building. 

However, soon after noticing the water, staff moved the children to a safer, more elevated area within the premises. 

The children were later sent home with their parents — who were called to pick them up — once the floodwaters receded.

Ravikumar, who visited the spot to assess the situation, held discussions with the headmaster of a nearby government school. 

The department is considering shifting the Anganwadi centre to the school building, he said. 

Bheemaraj, a villager, said Nadamballi has a population of around 500 and the Anganwadi had been functioning smoothly until now. 

The local urged the authorities to construct a permanent building at the earliest to ensure the safety of the children.

The CDPO added that steps would also be taken to construct a dedicated structure of its own in the coming months.