Due to heavy rainfall, the Delhi government announced a holiday for all private and government schools on Thursday. Delhi Education Minister Atishi made the announcement on social media, citing the intense rainfall on Wednesday and the forecast for continued heavy rains. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) reported that clouds had converged over Delhi from all directions, prompting an advisory for residents to avoid unnecessary travel. The IMD also issued an alert for ‘isolated very heavy rainfall over Uttarakhand between July 31 and August 3,’ leading the Uttarakhand government to declare a holiday for schools in the state. An orange alert has been issued, and all schools, from classes 1 to 12, will remain closed on August 1st. The IMD has predicted very heavy rainfall in Uttarakhand until August 3rd and expects rainy conditions to persist in Delhi until August 5th. On Wednesday, Mayur Vihar in East Delhi recorded 119 mm of rain between 8:30 am and 8:30 pm, while the National Centre for Medium Range Weather Forecasting reported 118 mm in Noida.
In response to the heavy downpour, Delhi Lieutenant Governor VK Saxena instructed all concerned officials to remain vigilant and address issues in waterlogging-prone areas, including locations with coaching centers.
In addition to weather-related closures, schools in various districts of Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand have been closed until August 2nd as part of preparations for the Kanwar Yatra 2024. This decision affects all primary, upper primary, secondary, CBSE, ICSE board-recognized schools, madrasas, degree colleges, and other educational institutes. The significant influx of Kanwariyas, who are expected to travel with Gangajal from Haridwar and other ghats, has necessitated these closures due to traffic diversions and safety concerns.
School schedules in Varanasi, Indore, and Ujjain have also been adjusted due to the Kanwar Yatra, with classes conducted on Sundays instead of Mondays, as per various media reports.
