Bhubaneswar: In view of incessant rain and inclement weather in Odisha due to a depression, Sambalpur administration has ordered the closure of all educational institutions across the district on Monday.
Officials said the order applies to all schools, colleges and other educational institutions. The decision was taken as a precautionary measure to ensure the safety of students, teachers and non-teaching staff amid the prevailing weather conditions.
Officials have urged residents to remain vigilant and advised people to avoid unnecessary travel as heavy rain continues to impact normal life in the district.
According to an order issued by the Collector and District Magistrate, all government and private schools, colleges, universities and other educational institutions across the district will remain closed today. The order covers the Sambalpur Municipal Corporation (SMC) area, Dhankauda Block and the entire district.
The district administration said the decision was taken in view of the prevailing weather conditions and the likelihood of further heavy rainfall. Authorities have advised educational institutions to comply with the order and asked residents to remain cautious during the ongoing spell of rain.
Similarly, in view of a red warning of heavy rainfall issued by the IMD, the Nuapada administration has announced the closure of all schools across the district.
Following directives from District Collector Madhusudan Das, the District Education Officer has officially declared a holiday for all categories of schools — government, private, and aided institutions — to ensure the safety of students amid the impending severe weather.
The announcement was communicated widely through official messages. “The decision has been taken keeping in mind the safety of students’ lives,” officials said. Many schools in the district also face infrastructural challenges, which further necessitated the precautionary measure in anticipation of heavy downpour.
The district administration urged parents and students to stay updated with further advisories from local authorities as the weather situation evolves. Normal classes are expected to resume once the red alert is lifted.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecast heavy to very heavy rainfall over Sambalpur district and several other parts of Odisha. The weather agency has warned of waterlogging in low-lying areas, localised flooding, poor visibility, and a rise in water levels in rivers and streams due to continuous rainfall.
According to reports, similar closure orders have also been issued in some other districts, including Kataka, Boudhagada, Sonpur, and Kandhamal as authorities continue to monitor the situation and urge people to avoid unnecessary travel during rough weather.
