Schools closed in parts of Karnataka, Gujarat, Jammu and Kashmir amid heavy rain

Heavy rain alerts prompted authorities in Karnataka, Gujarat and Jammu and Kashmir to close educational institutions on August 1. The precautionary orders also triggered safety advisories, exam rescheduling and a shift to online classes in affected districts.Parents have been advised not to allow children to visit waterlogged areas, lakes, rivers. (Photo: PTI)Schools and colleges will remain closed in parts of Karnataka, Gujarat and Jammu and Kashmir on August 1 after authorities announced holidays in view of heavy rainfall and red alert warnings issued by the India Meteorological Department (IMD).JAMMU AND KASHMIR SCHOOLS SHUTHeavy rainfall also disrupted classes in parts of Jammu and Kashmir, where district administrations ordered the closure of schools as a precautionary measure.In Ramban, all government and private schools remained closed on August 1 due to continuing heavy rainfall and adverse weather conditions, following directions issued by the district administration. However, the Chief Education Officer directed all heads of institutions to conduct online classes through suitable digital platforms to ensure that students' academic activities were not affected.A similar order was issued in Doda by the Chief Education Officer, where all government and private schools were closed on August 1 because of inclement weather. The district administration instructed schools to continue classes online according to the existing timetable. SCHOOLS, PUC, ITIS, DIPLOMA COLLEGES IN KARNATAKA CLOSEDIn Karnataka, the Dakshina Kannada district administration declared a holiday for all anganwadis, government and private schools, pre-university colleges, Industrial Training Institutes (ITIs) and diploma colleges on August 1 as a precaution against continuing heavy rain.The order was issued by the district administration following recommendations from the District Disaster Management Authority after weather forecasts from the IMD and the Karnataka State Natural Disaster Monitoring Centre (KSNDMC) predicted widespread rainfall across the district. The administration warned that violations of the order could attract action under the Disaster Management Act, 2005.Parents have been advised not to allow children to visit waterlogged areas, lakes, rivers or the seashore because of the risk of flooding and strong currents. Fishermen have also been asked to stay away from the sea until further notice, while tourists and residents have been urged to avoid beaches and riverbanks.District and taluk-level officials have been directed to remain at their headquarters, respond promptly to emergencies and maintain constant contact with the Deputy Commissioner's control room. Relief and care centres are also being kept ready across all taluks to deal with any rain-related emergencies.SCHOOLS, COLLEGES ALSO CLOSED IN GUJARAT, EXAM POSTPONEDIn Gujarat, the state government announced the closure of all educational institutions in several districts after the IMD forecast heavy to very heavy rainfall and issued red alerts in parts of the state.The closure covers anganwadis, government and private primary, secondary and higher secondary schools, colleges, ITIs, coaching centres and other educational institutions. Authorities have suspended all academic activities as a precautionary measure.According to the IMD, heavy rainfall is expected in Ahmedabad, Anand, Aravalli, Bharuch, Bhavnagar, Dang, Gandhinagar, Kheda, Narmada, Navsari, Sabarkantha, Surat, Tapi, Vadodara and Valsad districts. Residents have been advised to remain alert, avoid unnecessary travel and follow safety advisories issued by local authorities.The State Examination Board (SEB) has also postponed the Teacher Aptitude Test-Higher Secondary (TAT-HS) 2026 main examination (Gujarati medium). The exam, which was scheduled for August 2, will now be held on August 8.The board said the decision was taken in view of the statewide heavy rain forecast, representations from candidates and government guidance. Candidates can use their existing admit cards on the revised exam date and do not need to download fresh hall tickets. Further details are available on the SEB's official website.- EndsPublished By: Mridusmita DekaPublished On: Aug 1, 2026 09:34 IST