Tree falls on school building

Kottayam: A big decades-old banyan tree fell on the building of Govt Higher Secondary School at Koodal in Pathanamthitta early Monday morning in strong winds and damaged a portion of its tin-sheeted roof, parapet and toilet, but a major accident was averted as students had not turned up.

Fire and rescue services personnel, with the help of local people, cut the tree and removed it. Residents alleged that the district panchayat authorities were repeatedly asked to cut it, but they hesitated citing lack of funds. The education department had also issued strict orders to cut dangerous trees on school premises.