All educational institutions in Theog sub-division of Shimla district in Himachal Pradesh will remain closed on Tuesday. The decision comes after the weather department forecast heavy rain throughout the day and reports that several roads are already blocked.
According to NDTV, as many as 16 roads in the sub-division remain closed to traffic following overnight rain. The closures have made travel difficult and unsafe for students and staff.
Orange Alert Issued for Shimla District
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued an orange alert for heavy rain in Shimla district. This alert signals that authorities should be prepared for potentially disruptive weather conditions.
Earlier, educational institutions in Chamba, Sirmaur, Kangra and Mandi districts were also closed on July 20 and 21. The weather department had issued a red alert for those districts, warning of very heavy to extremely heavy rainfall, as reported by Hindustan Times.
Road Closures Disrupt Normal Life
The heavy rain has caused significant disruption beyond school closures. With 16 roads blocked in Theog sub-division alone, movement of vehicles and people has been severely affected. The blocked roads include key routes that residents rely on for daily commutes and essential supplies.
Authorities in other subdivisions, including Chopal, Kumarsain, Rampur, Sunni, and Jubbal, have also ordered the closure of all educational institutions as a precautionary measure, according to DD News.
Our Take: Safety First in Extreme Weather
The decision to shut schools and colleges in Theog and other parts of Himachal is the right call. When roads are blocked and heavy rain is forecast, sending students out is simply not safe. The authorities are prioritizing lives over routine, and that is exactly what should happen. However, the repeated closures across multiple districts highlight a bigger issue — the state's infrastructure is not equipped to handle heavy rainfall. While school closures are a short-term fix, long-term solutions like better drainage systems and more resilient roads are urgently needed. For now, residents should follow weather warnings and stay indoors as much as possible.