Weather & Worship: Why Schools Are Shutting Across India This July
July 2025 has brought a wave of school closures across India, with states like Uttar Pradesh, Telangana, Karnataka, Jharkhand, and Himachal Pradesh ordering temporary shutdowns. The dual impact of major religious events like the Kanwar Yatra and Bonalu, alongside heavy monsoon rains, has prompted authorities to prioritize student safety and manage infrastructural stress.
Uttar Pradesh: Week-long Shutdown for Kanwar Yatra
Schools across multiple districts in Uttar Pradesh have been ordered to remain closed from July 16 to 23 to ensure safety during the Kanwar Yatra. This significant pilgrimage event draws lakhs of Shiva devotees. The shutdown applies to all government, private, UP Board, CBSE, and ICSE schools, including Anganwadi centres and colleges.
Districts like Meerut, Muzaffarnagar, Bareilly, Badaun, and Varanasi are affected. According to Dr VK Singh, District Magistrate of Meerut, the decision is preventive, aimed at avoiding traffic disruptions and ensuring the safety of students as massive crowds flood the roads.
School authorities have been strictly instructed to comply, and penalties for violations have been imposed. In Muzaffarnagar, the District Magistrate and the District School Inspector have coordinated to ensure uniform implementation of the directive. Schools are expected to reopen on July 24.
Telangana: One-Day Bonalu Break Across Hyderabad Region
The Telangana government has announced a general holiday on Monday, July 21, across Hyderabad, Secunderabad, and adjoining districts to mark the regional festival of Bonalu.
Bonalu is a vibrant cultural celebration dedicated to Goddess Mahakali. It features ritualistic processions, folk dance performances, and offerings of Bonam—a pot containing rice, milk, and jaggery. The school closure is part of the state's broader effort to facilitate smooth and safe festivities for citizens, including school-going children.
Karnataka: Precautionary Closure in Rain-hit Coastal Taluks
Heavy rainfall has impacted the Dakshina Kannada district in Karnataka, leading to the closure of schools and Anganwadi centres on July 17 in Mangaluru, Ullal, Mulki, Bantwal, Belthangady, Sullia, and Moodbidri taluks.
Authorities have cited safety as the primary reason, as the India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecast continued rainfall in coastal and ghat regions for the next 48 hours. Government, aided, and private institutions, including primary and high schools, were all directed to close operations for the day.
District authorities monitor the situation closely and may extend the closure if adverse weather conditions persist.
Jharkhand: Rainfall Triggers Closure in Three Districts
Schools in Palamu, Garhwa, and Latehar districts of Jharkhand remained closed on July 17 following continuous rainfall and an IMD warning of more showers. The closure comes in response to 71% surplus rainfall recorded in the state between June 1 and July 16, per data from the India Meteorological Department’s rainfall bulletin.
The decision aims to minimize risks to students and staff in flood-prone areas and ensure that infrastructure remains uncompromised during the downpours.
Himachal Pradesh: Monsoon Holidays Statewide
The Himachal Pradesh Board of School Education has announced a phased monsoon holiday schedule for all schools nationwide, covering summer, winter, and extreme heat zones.
- Summer Schools will remain shut from July 12 to August 12
- Schools in Kullu District are closed from July 20 to August 12
- Winter Schools will observe holidays from August 8 to 12
- Extreme Summer Schools will remain closed between August 3 and 12
Districts affected include Nalagarh, Fatehpur, North Surian, Indora, Paonta Sahib, and Amb (Una). The staggered schedule accommodates the varied climatic conditions across the state while offering students and educators respite from adverse weather.
Why the Shutdowns Matter: Safety, Sentiment, and Infrastructure
These temporary school closures are more than just a pause in academics. In states like Uttar Pradesh, the Kanwar Yatra causes not only road congestion but also law-and-order concerns, prompting authorities to clear school campuses of traffic and logistical burdens.
In contrast, in states like Jharkhand and Karnataka, the intensity of the monsoon season can result in flooded roads, landslides, and waterlogged campuses, raising serious safety risks.
Festivals like Bonalu, on the other hand, offer a chance to observe tradition and community spirit. Declaring a holiday during such events allows families to participate without worrying about attendance or school schedules.
Conclusion: A Balance Between Culture, Climate, and Care
From pilgrimage processions in Uttar Pradesh to monsoon alerts in Karnataka and cultural celebrations in Telangana, school closures reflect a nuanced balance between academic discipline and societal realities. Education departments and district magistrates are working to ensure that students remain safe while respecting the cultural fabric and natural environment that shape everyday life in India.
As weather patterns grow more unpredictable and festivals continue to hold emotional significance, such proactive shutdowns might become a regular part of the academic calendar. In the meantime, schools, parents, and local authorities must continue to collaborate in navigating these temporary but necessary disruptions.
