Odisha schools closed in Bhadrak today, holiday announced amid floods

Odisha: In view of continuous rainfall and floods in most of the areas, schools in Odisha’s Bhadrak district will observe a holiday today, August 19. Following the district administration's order, a total of 297 schools across six blocks, i.e., Bhadrak, Basudevpur, Tihidi, Dhamnagar, Bhandaripokhari and Chandbali, will remain closed today as a precautionary measure.

The school closure is expected to continue tomorrow as well. The decision to reopen schools will be based on the prevailing ground situation and further instructions from the district administration.

Times report that parents and students have been advised to follow updates issued through official channels and comply with any further directions on school operations. Students have also been urged to avoid flood-affected areas and locations where restoration work is underway.

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Odisha weather update

Though the depression that formed over the northwest Bay of Bengal has moved over Jharkhand and adjoining northern parts of Gangetic West Bengal, the IMD has forecast that very heavy rainfall may persist in parts of Odisha on Tuesday.

Heavy rainfall has worsened the flood situation in Odisha's northern districts as the water level of many rivers is rising. Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi held a high-level review meeting on the prevailing situation and discussed the immediate steps needed to be taken. The CM said 3.30 lakh affected people have been evacuated by the state government.

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IMD has also issued a 'yellow warning' (be aware) of heavy rainfall in the districts of Sambalpur, Deogarh, Keonjhar, Subarnapur, and Bolangir. It also forecast thunderstorms accompanied by lightning and gusty surface wind speeds reaching up to 30-40 kmph, likely over the districts of Sundergarh, Jharsuguda, Baragarh, Sambalpur, Deogarh, Keonjhar, Subarnapur and Bolangir.

The state government has meanwhile geared up relief and rescue operations in the affected districts. Altogether 45 teams of ODRAF, eight NDRF teams, and 53 fire service units were deployed in the affected areas.

(With PTI inputs)