Punjab's Children Relive Flood Nightmares: Leaking Schools Trigger Deep-Seated Trauma

As the monsoon clouds once again gather over Punjab, they bring more than just rain; for thousands of children in government schools, they usher in a terrifying echo of past trauma. The relentless downpour, coupled with already dilapidated school infrastructure, is reopening deep emotional wounds left by the devastating floods of July.

What should be safe havens for learning are, for many, becoming vivid reminders of the very nightmares they endured just months ago.

Imagine a classroom where the sound of rain isn't a soothing backdrop, but a trigger for panic. For children like those in Government Primary School, Khokhar, where a wall recently collapsed, or in Bhalla, where ceilings perpetually leak, every drop is a stark reminder of rising water levels and the loss they witnessed.

In districts such as Tarn Taran, Jalandhar, Ferozepur, and Sangrur, the physical decay of buildings – damp walls, mouldy classrooms, and the constant threat of collapse – exacerbates an already fragile mental state.

The emotional toll is profound. Teachers report a surge in anxiety, with children refusing to attend classes, crying uncontrollably, or even experiencing flashbacks.

"My house collapsed during the floods. When it rains heavily now, I just want to go home and check on my family," a young student might confide, illustrating the constant fear gripping their hearts. Some children wake up with nightmares, reliving the terror of water seeping into their homes, possessions floating away, or the desperate scramble for safety.

School, instead of being a place of hope, becomes a source of acute distress.

For dedicated teachers, this presents an unprecedented challenge. They are not only educators but increasingly, impromptu counselors, navigating the complex emotional landscapes of their students. "How do you teach when a child is staring blankly at a leaking ceiling, visibly trembling?" one teacher might lament.

They are stretched thin, often lacking the specific training or resources to provide the necessary psychological first aid, let alone a long-term therapeutic environment.

While the Education Department has acknowledged the issue, promising funds for repairs and even deploying counsellors in some affected areas, the scale of the problem is immense.

Infrastructure repair must accelerate, but equally crucial is a sustained, empathetic approach to mental health. Creating genuinely safe and supportive spaces, both physically and emotionally, is paramount to prevent this generation from carrying the scars of the floods indefinitely.

The monsoon season serves as a stark reminder that recovery from natural disasters extends far beyond rebuilding homes and roads.

It encompasses healing the invisible wounds etched onto the young minds of survivors. Punjab's children deserve not just schools, but sanctuaries – places where the sound of rain signifies growth and learning, not a terrifying return to their darkest memories.