Maharashtra Rains: Schools, colleges closed across Mumbai, Thane and Palghar on July 7

Mumbai, Thane and Palghar administrations have announced holiday for all educational institutions including schools and colleges on July 7. The announcement came after India Meteorological Department (IMD) forecast heavy to extremely heavy rainfall across parts of Maharashtra. Considering the forecast, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) Education Department has ordered all government, municipal and private primary, secondary and higher secondary schools in Mumbai to remain closed. IMD has issued an orange alert for the city, warning of heavy rainfall accompanied by strong winds.

Citing the risk posed by strong winds and recent incidents of trees falling during the monsoon, the civic body said the decision was taken as a precautionary measure to ensure students' safety. The BMC has advised residents to avoid stepping out unless absolutely necessary.

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The Thane district administration has also declared a holiday for all anganwadis, primary, secondary and higher secondary schools, and colleges on July 7. District Collector Dr. Shrikrishna Panchal said the district has witnessed continuous heavy rainfall over the past three days, resulting in waterlogging and uprooting of trees. The holiday has been declared under the Disaster Management Act, 2005, after the IMD issued an Orange Alert for heavy to very heavy rainfall accompanied by strong winds.

Meanwhile, schools, colleges and anganwadis of Palghar district administration will remain closed after IMD issued a red alert for extremely heavy rainfall. Residents have been advised to remain indoors unless travel is unavoidable and to strictly follow safety instructions issued by the administration. Government and private offices, however, will continue to function as usual.

Recently, due to the rain alert in Maharashtra, Mumbai University cancelled July 2 exams in Palghar and Panvel and announced holiday for primary and secondary schools in Mumbai, Thane and Palghar on July 6.