Schools in Himachal's Kullu to Remain Closed Today Due to Heavy Rains
Amidst the torrential monsoon rains wreaking havoc in Himachal Pradesh, authorities have taken vital steps to ensure the safety of students and staff at schools in the affected Nirmand and Ani sub-divisions of Kullu district. In response to the adverse conditions, a holiday has been declared until today, July 25, for all government and private schools affiliated with the Himachal Pradesh School Education Board in the aforementioned sub-divisions. Private schools linked to CBSE and ICSE boards were granted autonomy to assess the situation and decide whether to suspend operations or not. However, due to the severity of the weather, including landslides and road closures that posed significant risks to the well-being of children and staff, it was deemed necessary to close all schools.
Naresh Verma, the Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM) of Ani, acted promptly to safeguard lives during this period of continuous rainfall. Issuing warnings to residents, he urged them to exercise extreme caution and avoid areas close to rivers, drains, or landslide-prone terrain.
The monsoon season in Himachal Pradesh this year has been unusually severe, resulting in widespread destruction and disruptions. According to the Himachal Pradesh State Disaster Management Authority (HPSDMA), since the start of July, 187 people have been injured by landslides and flooding, with 15 individuals reported missing. In early July, flash floods devastated about ten homes in a village in the Haroli area.
Responding to the ongoing heavy rains and the looming threat of more downpours, the Himachal Pradesh Directorate of Higher Education had previously rescheduled and adjusted the monsoon break in government and private schools affiliated with the Himachal Pradesh Board of School Education in various regions across the state.
Looking ahead, the Indian Meteorological Department has issued an orange signal for Himachal Pradesh for the upcoming days, forecasting significant rainfall from July 26 to July 28. During this period, heavy rainfall is anticipated in the districts of Shimla, Sirmaur, Solan, Mandi, Kullu, Kangra, and Chamba.