Chalakudy School Building Collapses; Holiday Averts Tragedy
A portion of a Kerala government school building collapsed in Chalakudy on a holiday, with no casualties reported. Excavation for the Hill Highway is suspected.
A major disaster was narrowly averted in Kerala's Thrissur district on Friday, September 4, 2026, when a portion of the Chayipankuzhi Government UP School building in Kodassery grama panchayat collapsed. The campus was empty due to the Sree Krishna Jayanti holiday, preventing what could have been a fatal incident.
Local residents reported that the collapse began with a wall near the school giving way at a spot where excavation was underway for the ongoing Hill Highway project. Soon after, a section of the main school building and an adjacent open stage crumbled.
The incident is believed to have been triggered by extensive digging carried out close to the structure. A large pit had reportedly been excavated beside the building, compromising the stability of the ground around its foundation.
Officials noted that the affected classrooms had been out of use since the highway work commenced, owing to earlier safety concerns. A school bus parked in front of the building sustained damage from the falling debris.
The damaged structure was built in 2002 using funds from the local area development allocation of former MLA Savithri Lakshmanan. Notably, classes are currently being held in rooms close to the collapsed portion, raising fresh worries about the safety of students and staff.
The episode has renewed scrutiny on safety protocols around educational institutions during major infrastructure projects, with the incident underscoring the risks posed by heavy construction activity near schools.