Flooding caught hundreds of children in Seret Vizhnitz cheder

Children of Talmud Torah Yachel Yisrael, of Seret Vizhnitz in Ramat Vizhnitz Haifa, sat on Thursday, as on every day and labored over their studies. The strong rains which showered the streets did not disturb their tranquility.

The Haifa weather was very rainy that day - much more than the average during this period. While the neighborhood itself is on the side of a mountain, the Talmud Torah and yeshiva are located on the outskirts of the mountain, so that all the water that gathered at first on the mountain, came sliding down, sweeping stones and sand along. The stones and sand which accompanied the water clogged the gutter – which could not withstand the great strain - and the street was flooded with water.

The puddles turned into a huge pool which expanded unabated. At one point, the flood overflowed and the water invaded the building of the Talmud Torah and yeshiva.

The children had finished their classes, and wanted to leave the gates of the Talmud Torah on their way home. They then noticed the rising flood which made the exit from the building impossible. The bus which picks up the students to disperse them at home, could simply not get close to the Talmud Torah. Having no choice, the Melamdim called the fire trucks to come and rescue the two hundred students who wanted to go home, without success.

The bus driver did not give up. He entered the wave - as close as possible to the Talmud Torah. Meanwhile the fire truck arrived and firefighters began to rescue the students on their shoulders. An iron bed was placed between the Talmud Torah and the bus staircase and the students climbed on it and went inside. The driver rushed to leave the area and after a long turn it was forced to make in the Haifa roads, dispersed the students at home. Then he returned to the place and repeated the procedure.

After the rescue of the students which lasted until close to eight in the evening, the evacuation of yeshiva students who were waiting patiently for their turn started. The operation came to an end successfully and the evacuation went smoothly.

Tractors from the municipality came and tried to fight the enormous quantities of water and to pump the water which invaded the entrance floor and flooded the classrooms.

The management of the Talmuid Torah hopes that the tractors will manage to drain the enormous quantities of water until the morning and prepare the re-entering to the building until morning. "If we cannot overcome the water, we will have no school tomorrow," they say.

The Ichud Hatzala spokesman of Carmel branch, Boaz Golan said: "Due to heavy rains waterfalls were created, carrying with them large stones and a large amount of mud. Drives of Ichud Hatzala Carmel arrived at the scene to help get the students out, together with the fire fighting forces, who brought in special equipment for water rescue, including a boat."

'בחדרי' גם ברשתות החברתיות - הצטרפו!