Heavy Monsoon Rains Close Schools Across India; IMD Issues Red Alerts

Heavy monsoon rainfall is forcing school closures across India as the India Meteorological Department issues red and orange alerts for multiple states. Himachal Pradesh has been hit hardest, with 18 houses damaged and 3 people injured in Kangra district after a cloudburst triggered flash floods on July 21 and 22. Schools in Jammu and Kashmir, Nainital, and parts of Himachal Pradesh remain closed. The IMD warns that wet conditions will persist until July 27.

Himachal Pradesh faces worst damage as cloudburst hits Kangra

A cloudburst in Kangra district’s Boh Valley triggered flash floods and massive debris flows on July 21, destroying homes and livestock. Six houses were washed away initially, with 12 more damaged overnight, bringing the total to 18 damaged structures. Three people were injured, and nine cowsheds were destroyed along with livestock including three buffaloes, four cows, one bull, and one sheep. Residents reported hearing a loud blast-like sound before water, mud, and boulders rushed downhill. Timely evacuation prevented deaths.

School closures spread across northern and western India

The Jammu and Kashmir government announced school closures in Kashmir Division and winter zones of Jammu Division on July 22 after extending summer vacation by three days. Nainital district in Uttarakhand shut all schools and Anganwadi centres on the same date. Schools in Kangra, Mandi, Chamba, and Sirmaur districts in Himachal Pradesh also closed. Maharashtra’s Pune ghat areas remain under red alert, though no official school holidays have been declared in Mumbai or Pune as of July 22.

Critical roads blocked as landslides cut off villages

The old Hindustan-Tibet road (National Highway 5) in Kinnaur district was closed after landslides at two locations. The road became inaccessible near Shalkhar due to debris slides and near Samdo due to falling boulders, halting vehicular movement between Kaza, Spiti, Pooh, and Reckong Peo. Multiple other roads including Nurpur-Lahru, Chowari-Dalhousie, and Chamba-Tissa routes were also blocked. Landslides in Dibba and Maned Nallah areas made it difficult for rescue teams to reach affected locations.

IMD warns of continued rainfall through July 27

The India Meteorological Department issued orange alerts for Kangra and Mandi districts warning of heavy to very heavy rains, with yellow alerts for Chamba, Kullu, Shimla, Solan, and Sirmaur. Low to moderate flash flood risk persists over these watersheds for the next 24 hours. The wet spell is expected to continue until July 27. Meanwhile, the country received 21% below normal rainfall as of July 14, with spatial variability across regions affecting agriculture and water resources.

Final Thoughts

Monsoon-driven school closures and property damage across northern India highlight the seasonal weather risk. With rainfall expected through July 27, authorities are prioritizing evacuation and road safety over classroom operations.

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