Schools Closed on September 4 Due to Heavy Rains: Punjab, Himachal Pradesh Shut Till Sept 7; Delhi-NCR Likely to Follow

The monsoon rains have once again brought life to a standstill across large parts of India. On September 4, 2025, widespread school closures were announced in response to intense flooding, landslides, and dangerous road conditions. Among the worst-hit regions are Punjab and Himachal Pradesh, where the state governments have ordered the shutdown of all educational institutions until September 7.

While Delhi-NCR has not issued an official closure notice yet, warnings and water level surges suggest that closures may be imminent. Here's a state-wise breakdown of the current situation, confirmed closures, and what parents, students, and educators need to know.

Schools Closed in Punjab Till September 7

The Punjab government has announced a blanket closure of all educational institutions—government, aided, private schools, colleges, universities, and polytechnic institutes—until September 7, 2025. The decision was confirmed by Education Minister Harjot Singh Bains via social media platform X (formerly Twitter), citing directives from Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann.

This move comes as parts of Punjab continue to battle worsening flood conditions, with several low-lying areas submerged and transportation severely disrupted. The order aims to safeguard students and staff from travel-related hazards and infrastructure risks.

Himachal Pradesh: Shimla Schools, Colleges Closed Amid Landslides

In Shimla, continuous heavy rainfall, landslides, and falling trees have forced the closure of educational institutions since Monday. The district administration has extended the shutdown of government and private schools, coaching centres, and nursing institutes through Wednesday (September 4), with a likelihood of further extensions if conditions persist.

• Online classes will continue where feasible.
• Teachers and staff have been exempted from physical attendance.
• The clarification came after a fake notification began circulating on social media, prompting confusion and forcing the administration to file a police complaint.

These closures reflect the broader pattern of administrative caution across the hilly state, where monsoon-triggered disasters have become alarmingly frequent.

Uttar Pradesh: Ghaziabad & Noida Schools Closed on Sept 3, Awaiting Update

In Uttar Pradesh, the district administrations of Ghaziabad and Gautam Buddh Nagar (Noida) declared a holiday on September 3 for all schools from Nursery to Class 12. This includes institutions affiliated with the Council, Government, Aided, CBSE, ICSE, and Madarsa boards.

While the closure was confirmed for Tuesday, no official update has been issued yet for September 4. Parents are strongly advised to stay in touch with their child’s school or monitor official communication channels for real-time updates.

Delhi-NCR: Schools Likely to Close as Water Levels Rise

As of the morning of September 4, no formal order has been issued regarding school closures in Delhi-NCR. However, reports suggest that authorities are closely monitoring the situation and may declare holidays if rainfall continues.

• The Yamuna river in Delhi has crossed the danger mark, with water levels recorded at 206.03 metres at the Old Railway Bridge.
• As a safety measure, the bridge has already been closed to vehicular traffic.

Given the rising threat of urban flooding and traffic disruptions, school closures in Delhi-NCR are a strong possibility. Parents are urged to remain alert to local government or school-issued advisories.

Widespread Weather Warnings Across India

According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), isolated heavy to very heavy rainfall is forecast across several states over the next few days. The states under red or orange alerts include:

• Northeast India: Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Meghalaya, Nagaland, Manipur, Mizoram, Tripura
• South India: Coastal Andhra Pradesh, Coastal Karnataka, Kerala, Telangana
• West India: Gujarat Region, Konkan & Goa, Madhya Maharashtra, Marathwada
• North & Central India: Uttarakhand, West Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal & Sikkim

These alerts indicate a high risk of landslides, road blockages, flash floods, and waterlogging, which may further lead to closure of schools, colleges, and offices in the affected regions.

Many local administrations are expected to issue fresh advisories and closure notices based on local developments. As a result, school administrations in these states are on standby for rapid response.

Impact on Education and Daily Life

The sudden closures and shift to online learning in some areas have disrupted the academic calendar. However, these precautionary measures are being taken in light of:

• Student safety during commute
• School infrastructure vulnerability
• Risk of landslides and urban flooding
• Traffic congestion and waterlogging in city areas

Many schools in high-risk zones have preemptively transitioned to online classes, leveraging digital platforms to minimize academic loss.

Parental Advisory

For parents and guardians, here are a few practical tips:

• Check school communication channels (SMS, apps, emails) regularly for updates.
• Avoid sending children to school unless official confirmation has been issued regarding reopening.
• Keep children indoors and away from waterlogged areas.
• Encourage engagement with online study materials during closures.
• Monitor local news and IMD alerts for weather updates.

Conclusion

The school closures across Punjab, Himachal Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, and potentially Delhi-NCR reflect the severity of this year’s monsoon impact. As heavy rains continue to batter large parts of the country, state and district administrations are prioritizing safety by keeping educational institutions closed.

While this causes temporary disruption to learning, the protection of life and infrastructure remains paramount. Authorities are expected to issue further guidelines in the coming days depending on how the weather situation unfolds.