Northern Indian states shut schools as monsoon rain triggers heavy‑water alerts

Education officials in several northern Indian districts ordered the closure of schools and early‑childhood centres after the monsoon brought heavy rainfall and flood risk.

In Uttar Pradesh’s Bahraich district, the district basic education officer announced that all schools for classes 1‑8 will remain closed on 21 and 22 July, with penalties for any institution that stays open. Similar shutdown orders were issued in Himachal Pradesh districts – Chamba, Mandi, Kangra and Sirmaur – where a red rain alert was in force.

In Uttarakhand, the Chamoli district administration declared a full holiday on 20 July for government, aided, private schools (classes 1‑12) and all Anganwadi centres after the regional weather department issued a heavy‑rain warning for Dehradun and surrounding areas. District officials stressed compliance to protect students’ safety.