J&K govt extends school summer vacation till July 26 due to heavy rainfall

The Jammu and Kashmir government has extended summer vacation period of schools till July 26, 2026, after the India Meteorological Department (IMD) predicted that the southwest monsoon activity is getting stronger and that there will be widespread rainfall in the Himalayan region. The announcement has been made by the Jammu and Kashmir Education Minister Sakina Ittoo on X.

The official X post reads, “Keeping the safety and well-being of students, teachers, and their families as our foremost priority, the summer vacation for all Government and recognized private schools in the Kashmir Division and Winter Zones of Jammu Division is hereby extended up to 26th July, 2026.”

The new timetable is applicable to all government and recognised private schools in the Kashmir division and winter zones of the Jammu division. This also applies to all schools in the summer zones of Jammu division.

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Earlier, the schools were originally scheduled to continue classes on July 20, 2026 after the summer break. The break was started on July 6, 2026 due to intense heatwaves.

IMD forecasted heavy rainfall

Fairly widespread rainfall is likely from July 22 to July 24 across Jammu, Kashmir, Ladakh, Gilgit, Baltistan and Muzaffarabad, as per the forecast by IMD on July 22.

The weather department has also foretold widespread rains in the hilly regions of Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand from July 22 to July 27. After the prediction, the authorities have been asked to remain alert and closely monitor the changing weather situation in the Himalayan region.

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No statewide school closure orders yet

The governments of Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand have not declared a state-wide closure of schools or extension of holidays so far despite the rainfall forecast.

Students, parents and school authorities have been advised to closely follow official government announcements made by the respective state governments, district administration and education department as the decision to suspend classes will be made based on the local weather condition.