In a significant development, students across various states have been granted a considerable respite as school holidays have been declared. This decision comes in light of the heavy rainfall and subsequent flood situations experienced in several regions of North India. The orders for these holidays have been issued by the respective authorities, ensuring an extended break for students, with schools set to remain closed for an extended period of time. This measure aims to provide relief not only to the students but also to the academic staff.
The state of Uttarakhand has been particularly affected by incessant rains, leading to a severe flood situation. Moreover, the water level of the Yamuna river in the capital city of Delhi has risen above normal, intensifying the flood risk. Consequently, schools in Delhi have been instructed to observe a holiday until Sunday, July 16, in order to prioritize the safety and well-being of students.
Ambala, a city in the state of Haryana, has also witnessed heavy rainfall, resulting in a flood-like scenario in nearby areas such as Panchkula, Ambala, and Yamunanagar. The district administration in Ambala has taken proactive measures to mitigate potential risks, including the declaration of holidays in all schools and educational institutions until July 15. This decision aims to prevent any inconvenience or danger that students might face while commuting to school. It is worth noting that if July 16 falls on a Sunday, schools in Pune will resume operations from Monday, July 17.
Uttarakhand continues to experience heavy rainfall, leading to the repeated declaration of holidays in schools across multiple districts. Given the rain situation in Dehradun, schools have been instructed to remain closed on July 14. Furthermore, July 16 falls on a Sunday, and July 17 has been designated as a holiday for Harela, resulting in a four-day holiday for students. A formal order has been issued to ensure that all private and government schools, as well as academic and non-academic staff of Anganwadi centers, adhere to this decision. The holiday has been deemed necessary due to excessive rainfall and the increased risk of landslides.
To relay this information, Ajit Singh, the Duty Officer of State Emergency Operations, has communicated the decision in writing to district officers and the chairman of the District Disaster Management Authority. The letter emphasizes the likelihood of heavy rainfall on July 15, which may lead to various types of disasters, landslides, and road closures. Consequently, two days of holidays, July 14 and 15, have been declared for all schools and Anganwadi centers in the state.
In Hastinapur, located in Uttar Pradesh, flood-like situations have arisen in several districts due to increased water levels in the Ganga, caused by continuous water release from the Bijnor Barrage. In light of this dangerous situation, helpline numbers have been provided, and an indefinite holiday has been declared for schools affected by the floods. Authorities have been actively engaged in relocating affected individuals to safer areas, and helpline numbers have been made available for those residing in flood-affected regions.
Rahul Dhama, the Block Education Officer, has issued an initial order declaring holidays in various schools, such as Sirjepur, Patel Nagar Shadipur Gawdi, Rustampur, Bhimkund, Fatehpur Prem, Tarapur, and Latifpur, until the situation normalizes. Family members have also been advised not to send their children to school until the flood situation improves, ensuring the safety of students during this challenging time.
The dire situation caused by heavy rainfall is not limited to Uttar Pradesh but also extends to Haryana and Punjab. Consequently, the Punjab government has made the decision to declare holidays in all schools of the state until July 16. Persistent heavy rainfall in recent days has led to a flood-like scenario in Punjab, affecting 14 districts and inundating nearly 1,500 villages. To prioritize the safety of students, schools will resume operations from July 17, after the holidays are concluded. As a precautionary measure, the Punjab government has extended the holidays until July 16 for all government-aided and recognized private schools in the state.
