The Goa government announced on Sunday that schools will be closed on Monday. Similarly, the Kerala government has announced the closure of schools and colleges in several districts, while the Karnataka government has also declared the closure of schools and colleges due to the red alert.
According to reports, these states are expected to receive over 20 cm of rain in the next few days.
Additionally, the IMD has also issued a red alert in four districts of Maharashtra – Satara, Kolhapur, Sindhudurg and Ratnagiri, while a yellow alert has been issued for Mumbai.
School Closure in Goa
On July 14, the Chief Minister of Goa, Pramod Sawant, announced that schools in Goa, from pre-primary to Class 12, will remain closed on July 15 due to the red alert. This decision followed three days of heavy downpours that have caused flooding across the state.
The closure has been announced only for schools. However, other government offices and services will function as usual.
Speaking to ANI, the Chief Minister said, “The Director of Education has been asked to issue a circular that there will be a holiday on Monday as a red alert has been declared. Due to this, all the schools of Goa, from pre-primary to 12th standard, will remain closed tomorrow.”
Further, ANI has reported that the Chief Minister has requested people not to leave their homes unless it is an emergency.
School and College Closure in Kerala
For today, the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) has announced a red alert in the districts of Malappuram, Kannur, and Kasaragod. These districts are predicted to receive over 20 cm of rainfall. Additionally, IMD has also issued an orange alert in the districts of Ernakulam, Thrissur, Palakkad, Kozhikode, and Wayanad.
In view of this, the district authorities have declared a holiday for all educational institutions for today, July 15.
Widespread damage has been reported from various places across the state due to heavy rainfall and wind.
School and College Closure in Karnataka
The Karnataka government has also declared a holiday for all schools and colleges in the districts of Karwar, Ankola, Sirsi, Bhatkal, Siddapur, Honavar, Dandeli, Yellapur, and Joida taluks. PTI has reported that rains are likely to continue over coastal Karnataka, Malnad districts, and parts of interior Karnataka until July 16, 2024.
Reports suggest that the monsoon conditions in Karnataka are due to the existing offshore trough along the Maharashtra-North Kerala coast as well as the cyclonic circulation over the west-central Bay of Bengal.
