Schools closed today in parts of Karnataka, Maharashtra due to heavy rain; IMD issues alert

Considering heavy rains in some parts of Karnataka, schools and colleges will remain closed in Hosanagar and Sagar taluks of Shivamogga district. A holiday has been announced for July 8 in schools and colleges as a precautionary measure for the safety of children. Hosanagar taluk, Tahsildar Bharat Raj has ordered a holiday for anganwadi centres, PU colleges. To compensate for the lost working days, the educational institutions have been told to conduct classes on holidays. This is to ensure that the syllabus is completed on time.

Officials said the decision was taken keeping student welfare in mind, given the cold winds and heavy rain in and around Sagar taluk. This is the second time since the arrival of monsoon, that the district administration has sounded a red alert and announced holiday for schools. Meanwhile, Odisha is also witnessing heavy rains and schools were closed in many parts of the state on July 7. As of now, there is no update on schools being closed today.

Also read Maharashtra to act against schools forcing parents to buy books, uniforms from specific shops

Maharashtra school holiday update

Maharashtra is also currently witnessing a strong spell of rain lashing several parts of the state. India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued an orange alert and the state government has declared work from home for all offices, and has deployed disaster relief forces for rescue operations. The Palghar district administration has declared a holiday for all educational institutions today due to heavy rains. However, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation is yet to announce if Mumbai schools will remain closed. Local media suggest some schools have switched to online mode. Therefore, students are advised to be in touch with their respective schools for latest update on holiday.

The Maharashtra schools and colleges were closed on July 7, and on several days before. All the exams scheduled in first week of July stands postponed and will be conducted once situation returns to normal. Before this, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) shut down all government, private, and civic-run educational institutions in Mumbai on July 6 following an IMD orange alert. Navi Mumbai Municipal Corporation (NMMC) also suspended school classes on July 6 to safeguard students from the deteriorating weather. Thane District Collector and Chairperson of the District Disaster Management Authority, Dr. Shrikrishna Panchal, has ordered the closure of all anganwadis, primary, secondary, and higher secondary schools, and colleges for July 7.