Torrential monsoonal rains and relentless downpours have severely disrupted daily life across coastal and northern regions of Odisha. With water levels rising sharply in major rivers and low-lying areas experiencing extensive inundation, local district administrations have stepped in to safeguard school children. In response to the deteriorating weather conditions, official orders were issued by the District Education Officers of Jajpur and Sundargarh. Under these directives, physical classes across primary, secondary, and higher secondary educational institutions in designated areas stand suspended on Wednesday, August 19, 2026, prioritizing student safety above all else.
Complete Class Suspension Across Four Key Blocks in Jajpur
According to the official order released by the Jajpur District Education Office on August 18, 2026, large swathes of the district have been grappling with severe waterlogging and localized flood surges. Anticipating further rainfall and assessing the risks posed to commuting students, administrative authorities decided to halt all academic activities on August 19 across four specific blocks. The four blocks facing total class suspension are Bari, Binjharpur, Dharmasala, and Jajpur block.
The administrative notification emphasizes that all educational facilities within these four block boundaries will remain closed. This blanket directive applies to all government schools, government-aided institutions, and private schools. Furthermore, specialized residential and model schools, including Odisha Adarsha Vidyalaya (OAV) and Odisha Model Tribal Adarsha Vidyalaya (OMAV), are also mandated to suspend all instructional classes for the day.
Selective School Closures in Remaining Jajpur Blocks
For the remaining blocks of Jajpur district, the administration has adopted a targeted approach rather than a district-wide shutdown. Classes will be suspended exclusively in those specific school premises that are actively inundated by floodwaters or severe drainage congestion. All other unimpacted schools in these blocks will continue normal academic operations. To provide total clarity to parents and school authorities, the District Education Office has published a detailed schedule of flood-affected schools.
Within Dharmasala block, the designated affected list includes Alok Project Primary School Sanraipada, Jagulai GPT High School Kotapur, Dihanarsinghpur Primary School, Sankha Primary Upper Primary School, Pipildhiha Primary Upper Primary School, Bhagabanpur Upper Primary Middle English School, Budhijagulai High School Kadampal, Parikhitaswain Upper Primary School, Panchayat High School Areikana, Hamjapur Primary Upper Primary School, Bankasahi Primary School, Jayamangalanodal Upper Primary School, Basudevpur Primary School, Nalakul Primary Upper Primary School, Alarpur Primary School, and Sarada Sanskrit Vidyalaya.
List of Affected Schools in Barchana, Korei, and Rasulpur
In Barchana block, the list of affected institutions encompasses Patrajpur Singhsahi Primary School, Government UGHS Barapada, Banamalipur Upper Primary Middle English School, Kula Chandiya UGUP School, Sitaram Girls High School, Osilapal Primary School, Gajendrapur Nodal Upper Primary School, Kalpanadevi Vidyaniketan, South Gopalpur Primary School, Kalashree Upper Primary Middle English School, Bahadurnagar UGUP School, Jharkul UGUP School, Madrasa Islamia Chatabar, Madrasa Ilmo Molha, and Madrasa Takhte Sulemania.
In Korei block, school closures apply to Sanabiruan Government Upper Primary School, Teliya Government Upper Primary School, Barei Government Upper Primary School, Kankeshwar Government Upper Primary School, Maa Chatakuma High School, and Government Upper Primary School Karada.
In Rasulpur block, the designated list highlights Faridabad Government Upper Primary School, Chandimata Government Upper Primary School, GPD High School, Kamarpal Primary School, Bhagabati Pariya Upper Primary School, Bantara Primary School, and Kharasrota Government Upper Primary School.
School Buildings Retained for Relief and Rescue Operations
An essential clause in the directive issued by the Jajpur District Education Officer mandates that although academic classes are suspended, the affected school buildings must remain accessible to local authorities. In the event of worsening flood conditions, these educational structures will serve as emergency relief centers, temporary shelters, and rescue operation hubs. School heads and staff have been advised to keep facilities operational for emergency response teams as required by disaster management personnel.
District-Wide Closure Mandated Across All Institutions in Sundargarh
Concurrently, the district administration of Sundargarh has implemented a comprehensive shutdown across its entire jurisdiction due to persistent torrential rains and harsh weather warnings. An official notification issued by the Sundargarh District Education Officer on August 18, 2026, orders all educational institutions to suspend operations on August 19. Officials noted that continuous downpours created hazardous commuting conditions for young children, making a district-wide closure imperative.
The shutdown order in Sundargarh applies uniformly across all primary, secondary, and higher secondary institutions, regardless of whether they are government-run, government-aided, or privately managed. Additionally, national and specialized residential institutions operating in the district, such as Kendriya Vidyalaya Sangathan (KVS), Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalaya (JNV), Odisha Adarsha Vidyalaya (OAV), and Eklavya Model Residential Schools (EMRS), will also remain closed on August 19 as administrative teams monitor the weather situation.
