Several districts have declared school holidays on Thursday, September 18 as heavy rain continues in parts of the country and local observances play out across the week. Manipur has shut all educational institutions amid flooding, while Uttarakhand districts—especially Dehradun—have enforced closures after cloudburst-linked damage and red-alert warnings. Elsewhere, administrations are on standby and may issue district-level decisions if conditions worsen. Parents should rely on the district magistrate (DM), education department and school channels for last-minute changes.
At a glance (as of Thursday morning, Sept 18)
- Statewide closure (weather):
Manipur—all schools, colleges and universities closed today due to flooding and IMD’s warning for more rain. - District closures (weather):
Uttarakhand (Dehradun)—schools shut after severe rain and cloudbursts; district under heavy-rain alert. Nearby hill districts remain under watch. - Pockets on alert (possible short-notice orders):
Uttar Pradesh & Bihar—IMD has signalled heavy rain risk; DMs can announce local holidays if waterlogging worsens. Lucknow saw major waterlogging mid-week. - North-East pockets:
Mizoram (Khawbung block)—schools remained shut earlier this week due to landslides; reopening depends on safety assessment.
Note on festivals: Many regions marked Vishwakarma Puja on Sept 17 with state/local holidays; today’s closures are primarily weather-driven, though individual institutions may adjust schedules for local observances.
Why schools close on a rain day
Shutting schools is a safety decision: road flooding, fallen trees, weak embankments, landslides and lightning elevate risks for school buses and walking students. It also frees civic resources—pumps, traffic police, disaster-response teams—during peak inundation or festival processions. Most DMs use a simple trigger set: IMD warning level (yellow/orange/red), river levels, urban waterlogging reports, and road-clearance capacity, then issue an order for the day with a review by evening. When the alert eases, classes resume with catch-up worksheets or hybrid sessions, which many schools are already prepared to roll out (WhatsApp, LMS links, worksheets).
State & district round-up
Manipur: Statewide shutdown for safety
With flooding across the Imphal valley and adjoining districts, the Manipur government ordered all educational institutions—schools, colleges, universities, government-aided and private—to remain closed today. The IMD expects more rain and localized flooding; authorities stress keeping children and staff off unsafe routes and urge families to monitor official handles for the next update.
What this means for parents:
- Treat bus routes as unpredictable; assume diversions.
- Watch for school circulars on work-from-home worksheets and revised test dates.
- Keep emergency numbers handy; avoid flood-prone crossings.
Uttarakhand (focus: Dehradun): Cloudbursts, closures, and a red alert
A spate of cloudbursts and heavy rain triggered closures in Dehradun earlier this week; fresh warnings have kept the administration cautious. The route to Mussoorie faced intermittent blocks, and officials asked residents to avoid risky slopes and streams. Today, schools remain shut where district orders apply, with reassessment each morning.
What to watch:
- District advisories on opening/closing windows; they can change quickly with overnight rain.
- Transport marshals and pumps on key underpasses.
- SMS alerts from the DM and the district education office.
Uttar Pradesh: Waterlogging and a two-day rain pulse
A cyclonic circulation over east UP–Bihar pushed heavy showers into Lucknow and nearby districts mid-week, leading to waterlogging and power interruptions. While there is no statewide holiday today, DMs may issue localized orders if conditions worsen. Parents should check school WhatsApp groups by 6–7 am and monitor the DM handle.
Bihar: Alerts, not blanket closures (so far)
IMD bulletins flagged heavy-rain potential across parts of north and northeast Bihar this week (Kishanganj, Purnea, Araria and others). As of this morning, there isn’t a blanket state closure for schools, but district officials can swing to holiday if rivers rise or key corridors flood. Keep an eye on DDMA and district school portals.
Mizoram (Khawbung block): Landslides dictate school schedules
Ongoing landslides have kept schools shut in Khawbung block this week. The reopening timeline depends on clearance and slope safety. Families in hilly stretches should plan for extra travel time once schools resume, as temporary one-way traffic controls are common after slides.
Goa & coastal pockets: Yellow alerts, caution advised
The IMD held yellow alerts in parts of Goa today despite a slowdown in intensity. While no state-wide school holiday was announced, localized decisions are possible if showers intensify during commute windows.
Festivals this week: where they fit today
Yesterday’s Vishwakarma Puja (Sept 17) produced state/local holidays in several eastern and northern states—e.g., Uttar Pradesh and parts of West Bengal—with some campuses choosing online classes and others running as usual. Today’s school closures, however, are mostly weather-linked; festival processions can still prompt local traffic curbs or half-day adjustments in certain pockets. Always verify with your school and district education office for today-specific changes.
Parent playbook: five quick steps before you decide to send your child
- Check the official order first. Look for posts from your DM, district education officer, or school principal on verified handles/website. Avoid relying solely on forwards.
- Watch the commute map. If your child uses a bus, confirm the pickup point is not waterlogged; keep the transport manager’s number handy.
- Lightning & underpasses. During heavy bursts, avoid underpasses, open grounds and lone trees; if you must drive, double-check alternates.
- Stay in the school loop. Most schools share worksheets/links by 9–10 am on a holiday. Keep a charged phone and data ready.
- Plan the makeup. Expect hybrid or Saturday classes next week; set expectations with your child to reduce stress.
How the decision is made: a simple explainer
- IMD levels: Yellow = watch; Orange = be prepared; Red = take action. DMs weigh warnings with on-ground reports to decide closure by night/early morning.
- Urban flood triggers: Pumping capacity, tide timing (coastal), and railway underpass status influence orders.
- Hill-state triggers: Cloudbursts, slope saturation, landslides, and blocked state highways.
- Festival overlays: When a major procession falls on a rain day, orders may aim to decongest—school holiday reduces load on narrow corridors.
Recent examples illustrate the mix: Manipur moved to a statewide closure under flooding forecasts; Dehradun ordered district closures after cloudbursts; cities like Lucknow saw waterlogging without blanket school holidays.
Transport & utilities: what to expect on a rainy closure day
- Bus delays and route pruning on inundated stretches.
- Metro/rail crowding if roads are flooded; allow extra time at interchanges.
- Intermittent power cuts for safety; charge devices and keep a light backup power source if available.
- DP/MC teams (pumps, chainsaws) will prioritize hospitals, underpasses, schools and major junctions.
Fact-check corner (today)
- Is Sept 18 a national holiday for schools?
No. There’s no national closure today; decisions are state/district-specific. - Where are schools certainly closed right now?
Manipur (statewide) and Uttarakhand’s Dehradun district are closed today; Mizoram (Khawbung block) remains shut due to landslides. Other districts may announce closures during the day. - Are festival processions the reason today?
Mostly no. Festival holidays peaked yesterday (Vishwakarma Puja). Any processional adjustments today are local and typically not state-wide school holidays.
What schools are doing
Many campuses keep pre-loaded lesson plans for weather days: short assignments, reading lists, or a one-period live check-in. Attendance policies typically do not penalize students on officially declared holidays; tests shift to the next clear day. Bus contractors are instructed to avoid risky roads—even if the school is open. (If your child’s bus is cancelled for weather, the school will mark “transport off” and offer a worksheet option.)
What local governments are watching next (24–48 hours)
- Rain bands & radar loops over eastern UP, Bihar, Uttarakhand foothills.
- Cloudburst risk windows in central/northern Uttarakhand.
- River gauges in flooded North-East pockets (Manipur) and landslide-prone stretches (Mizoram).
- Urban drainage status in cities that took heavy rain mid-week (Lucknow and neighbourhoods).
FAQs for parents & students
Q. My city has heavy rain but no order. Should I send my child?
Check DM/school first. If roads near you are unsafe, call the class teacher; schools usually permit excused absence on documented weather risk days.
Q. Will there be online school today?
Where closures are official (e.g., Manipur, Dehradun), expect worksheets or short online sessions. Watch WhatsApp/LMS for links by 9–10 am.
Q. How will we make up classes?
Most schools use hybrid Saturdays or extra periods over the next week. Tests shift to the next clear academic day.
Bottom line
India’s school-closure map today is patchy by design: Manipur (statewide) and Dehradun (Uttarakhand) are closed, with other districts on watch. The system aims to minimize travel risk for children and free up civic hands during extreme weather or crowded observances. If you’re a parent, your best guide remains the DM order + school circular—check them before you step out.
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