North India has been facing continuous heavy rainfall over the past few days, leading to widespread waterlogging, disrupted traffic, and safety concerns. Authorities in several states have ordered the closure of schools on Wednesday, September 3, to protect students and staff. The regions affected include Noida, Ghaziabad, Bulandshahr, Baghpat, Chandigarh, Himachal Pradesh, and Jammu.
Noida
In Gautam Buddh Nagar district, Basic Education Officer Rahul Pawar announced that all schools—government, private, aided, CBSE, ICSE, and other boards—up to Class 12 will remain closed. The decision was taken on the instructions of District Magistrate Medha Roopam, citing heavy rainfall and persistent waterlogging in several areas. While students are not required to attend school, teaching and non-teaching staff must report to work to carry out administrative duties. Parents have been advised not to send their children to schools, and authorities have instructed schools to circulate the notice promptly.
Ghaziabad
All schools up to Class 12 in Ghaziabad have also been ordered to remain closed. Basic Education Officer OP Yadav said the closure is necessary to ensure student safety. Additional District Magistrate Saurabh Bhatt mentioned that any further closure will depend on ongoing weather conditions. The administration is monitoring old and dilapidated residential and government buildings in the city to prevent accidents due to heavy rain and waterlogging. The district experienced intense rainfall on Tuesday afternoon and evening, which led to temporary flooding in low-lying areas.
Bulandshahr and Baghpat
District administrations in Bulandshahr and Baghpat announced the closure of schools up to Class 12 due to heavy rain. Local officials emphasized strict compliance with the orders and asked parents and school authorities to take necessary precautions. Flooded streets and waterlogged areas in these districts have made commuting unsafe for children.
Chandigarh and Punjab
Chandigarh, which serves as the common capital of Punjab and Haryana, recorded more than 140 mm of rainfall since Sunday. Eleven schools in the city will remain closed on Wednesday. Authorities cited extreme weather, waterlogging, and the risk of accidents as reasons for the closure. Several parts of Punjab have also been severely affected, with major rivers such as the Sutlej, Beas, and Ravi flowing in spate due to torrential rainfall in their catchment areas in Himachal Pradesh and Jammu. Colleges, universities, and polytechnic institutes in Punjab have been asked to remain shut temporarily, and students are being advised to stay indoors.
Himachal Pradesh
Himachal Pradesh has been heavily impacted by incessant rainfall over the past few days, with over a thousand roads blocked, including four national highways. The local weather office issued an orange alert warning of heavy rain in Kangra, Mandi, Sirmaur, and Kinnaur districts, and a yellow alert for Una and Bilaspur districts. Authorities have ordered all government and private educational institutions, including coaching centers and nursing institutes in Shimla, Kangra, and Sirmaur, to remain closed. Teachers and administrative staff are exempted, and online classes will continue where possible. Landslides and flooding in several areas have disrupted normal life, and rescue teams have been deployed for relief operations.
Jammu
In Jammu Division, all government and private schools will remain closed on September 3. Director of School Education, Naseem Javaid Chowdhary, cited the weather forecast warning of heavy rainfall, flash floods, landslides, and cloudbursts. He also noted damaged roads and school buildings as additional safety concerns. Schools have been instructed to continue education through online classes wherever possible to minimize disruption. Low-lying areas and regions prone to waterlogging have been particularly affected.
Safety Measures and Public Advisory
Authorities across North India have urged residents to stay indoors, avoid unnecessary travel, and follow safety instructions issued by local administration and disaster management teams. Sub-divisional magistrates, local police, and civic authorities have been activated in flood-prone areas to ensure the safety of citizens. Parents are advised to monitor weather updates regularly and avoid sending children to schools or crowded public places until the situation improves.
