Bhubaneswar: With incessant rain triggering fear of flood in several parts of Odisha, the authorities in at least three districts on Tuesday announced closure of all schools, Anganwadi centres as a precautionary measure.
While the administration in Jajpur had ordered closure of all schools until further orders, Bhadrak and Kendujhar districts also announced similar moves later in the day.
In Kendujhar, the district administration ordered that all educational institutions, including private schools, will remain shut on Wednesday to ensure the safety of students.
Similarly, Bhadrak district administration announced the closure of all schools and Anganwadi centres on Wednesday (tomorrow, July 29) as a precautionary measure in view of the prevailing flood situation and continuous heavy rainfall.
The decision applies to government, government-aided and private educational institutions across the district.
According to an official notification issued by the District Collector, regular classes will remain suspended to ensure the safety of students. However, teachers and non-teaching staff have been directed to remain available for emergency duties and respond immediately whenever required by the administration.
The decision comes as rising water levels in Baitarani River have heightened flood concerns, particularly in Dhamnagar and surrounding low-lying areas.
Earlier, the administration in Jajpur had ordered the closure of all schools across the district, including private institutions, until further notice in view of incessant heavy downpour.
According to an order issued by the District Education Officer (DEO), classes in government, government-aided, and private schools, including Odisha Adarsha Vidyalayas, were suspended on July 28 from 2 pm onwards.
The decision was taken keeping in mind the heavy rain and adverse weather conditions, and the safety of school-going children, officials said.
Earlier, schools remained closed in four Odisha districts on Monday as heavy rainfall triggered by a deep depression over the region.
Schools were closed in Jagatsinghpur, Sonepur, Mayurbhanj and Kendrapara as a precaution after the IMD forecast heavy to very heavy rainfall in these districts, they said.
Meanwhile, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecast heavy to very heavy rainfall at one or two places across several districts, including Baleshwar, Bhadrak, Jajpur, Debagad, Anugola, Dhenkanal, Kendujhar, Mayurbhanj, Sonpur, Boudhagad, Nuapada, and Balangir.
The IMD has also warned of thunderstorms accompanied by lightning and gusty surface winds reaching speeds of 40–50 kmph in these districts.
An orange warning has been issued for the affected regions, urging residents to remain alert and take necessary precautions.
