Educational institutions across various parts of the country are observing a holiday tomorrow, August 26. The primary reasons behind these school closures include major religious festivals as well as adverse weather conditions in several regions. While communities are marking the occasion of Eid-e-Milad-un-Nabi, the state of Kerala is immersed in Onam celebrations. Additionally, continuous heavy downpours, flooding, and waterlogging in different states have forced local administrations to keep schools shut as a precautionary measure. Students and parents are advised to check official circulars for local updates.
Situation in Delhi and NCR Regions
Schools in Delhi, Noida, Ghaziabad, and Faridabad will remain closed due to Eid-e-Milad-un-Nabi. Apart from the festival, the Delhi-NCR area has been grappling with persistent rainfall, thunder, waterlogging, and severe traffic congestion. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued warnings for continued wet spells in the region, which naturally impacts the smooth functioning of educational institutions.
Uncertainty Surrounding Gurugram
In Gurugram, recent torrential rains have caused significant disruption to daily life. Severe waterlogging and traffic snarls have affected residents extensively. The district administration had previously advised offices and schools to adopt work-from-home arrangements or online classes. However, clear directives for August 26 are yet to be finalized, and parents and students have been instructed to await fresh advisories from the district administration or their respective schools before making travel plans.
Rain and Flood Impacts in Odisha
Heavy rainfall and flood conditions have also taken a toll on schools in Odisha. All educational institutions in the Nabarangpur district remained closed, while 89 vulnerable schools in the Bhadrck district were also kept shut. Students and parents in these flood-impacted districts are urged to keep a close watch on announcements regarding the reopening or continued closure of schools.
School Closures Across Districts in West Bengal
Several districts in West Bengal will keep schools shut on August 26 due to incessant rain. These districts include Bankura, Jhargram, West Medinipur, East Medinipur, and South 24 Parganas. Reports of school closures have also emerged from northern districts like Darjeeling, Alipurduar, and Jalpaiguri. Meanwhile, while Kolkata and adjacent areas face risks of rain and waterlogging, no state-wide blanket order has been issued for the entire state of West Bengal.
Why Schools Are Shut in Kerala
In Kerala, schools will remain closed on August 26 to mark the celebrations of Onam. This festival is the most prominent cultural event for the Malayali community, observed to honor the legendary King Mahabali and celebrate the harvest season. Apart from Kerala, some schools in other parts of the country might also observe Onam holidays, though families are encouraged to verify dates via their school academic calendars.
How to Verify Holiday Status
The reasons for the August 26 holiday vary significantly depending on the state and district, ranging from Eid-e-Milad-un-Nabi and Onam to heavy rains and floods. Consequently, students and parents must double-check official notices, text messages from school authorities, or the latest advisories issued by local district administrations to confirm holiday arrangements.
