Punjab schools shut for 4 days amid heavy rain alert, CM Bhagwant Mann announces

The Indian Meteorological Department has informed that there is a possibility of torrential rains in northwest India for the next few days. Especially Punjab and Jammu region may receive extremely heavy rainfall in the next 24 hours.

Chandigarh: In view of the threat of heavy rains and upcoming weather, the Punjab government has taken a big step. Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann announced on Tuesday, August 26, that all government and private schools in the state, be it primary, secondary or senior secondary will remain closed from August 27 to August 30.

The Chief Minister said, "It has been raining continuously in the state for the last few days and the Meteorological Department has predicted heavy rains in the future as well. In such a situation, this decision has been taken keeping in mind the safety of the children."

ਪਿਛਲੇ ਦਿਨਾਂ ਤੋਂ ਭਾਰੀ ਮੀਂਹ ਪੈ ਰਿਹਾ ਹੈ ਅਤੇ ਮੌਸਮ ਵਿਭਾਗ ਵੱਲੋਂ ਅੱਗੇ ਵੀ ਕੁੱਝ ਦਿਨ ਭਾਰੀ ਮੀਂਹ ਪੈਣ ਦਾ ਅਨੁਮਾਨ ਲਗਾਇਆ ਜਾ ਰਿਹਾ ਹੈ, ਜਿਸਨੂੰ ਦੇਖਦੇ ਹੋਏ ਸੂਬੇ ਦੇ ਸਾਰੇ ਪ੍ਰਾਇਮਰੀ, ਸੈਕੰਡਰੀ, ਸੀਨੀਅਰ ਸੈਕੰਡਰੀ ਸਰਕਾਰੀ ਤੇ ਪ੍ਰਾਈਵੇਟ ਸਕੂਲ 27 ਅਗਸਤ ਤੋਂ 30 ਅਗਸਤ ਤੱਕ ਬੰਦ ਰਹਿਣਗੇ।
----
पिछले दिनों से भारी बारिश हो रही…

— Bhagwant Mann (@BhagwantMann) August 26, 2025

Weather Department's warning

The Indian Meteorological Department has informed that there is a possibility of torrential rains in northwest India for the next few days. Especially Punjab and Jammu region may receive extremely heavy rainfall in the next 24 hours. Although there is a possibility of some reduction in rain after August 26, heavy rains may continue for the next five days.

Weather: Torrential rains ravage life in Himachal; Schools, colleges shut in Shimla

Situation worsened due to release of water from dams

Due to release of excess water from Pong and Bhakra dams, flood-like situation has arisen in villages of many districts of Punjab. Pathankot, Gurdaspur, Fazilka, Kapurthala, Tarn Taran, Ferozepur and Hoshiarpur have been most affected by this.

Punjab CM @BhagwantMann announces 4-day closure of all govt & private schools (primary to senior secondary) from Aug 27–30 due to heavy rain alert.

- IMD warns of extremely heavy rainfall in Punjab & NW India.
- Flood threat rising as water released from Pong & Bhakra dams.… pic.twitter.com/GpoD20bbRW

— Dynamite News (@DynamiteNews_) August 26, 2025

Devastation in neighboring states too

Not only Punjab, but Himachal Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir and Haryana are also in the grip of rain. 8 people have died in rain-related incidents in Katra and Doda in Jammu region.

5 people lost their lives due to landslide in Ardhkumwari area in Katra.

3 people have died in the incident of cloudburst in Doda.

There is still no hope of relief in Jammu region.

Cloudburst in Doda: Devastation in Jammu’s Doda District, 3 Dead; Mata Vaishno Devi Yatra Halts