Relentless Rains Disrupt Daily Life Across North India: Schools Shut, Pilgrimages Suspended

New Delhi: Several parts of North India are reeling under the impact of relentless rainfall, leading to landslides, waterlogging, traffic disruptions, and widespread school closures.

In Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand, the situation remains grim as landslides and road blockages have paralyzed movement. In Uttarakhand’s Chamoli district, authorities ordered all schools and Anganwadi centres to remain shut amid forecasts of heavy rainfall. A massive landslide near Munkatiya on the Kedarnath route claimed two lives and left six injured. As a precaution, the Char Dham and Hemkund Sahib pilgrimages have been suspended until September 5. Himachal Pradesh has also ordered schools closed in Kangra, Mandi, Sirmaur, and Kullu, with warnings extended to other districts.

Meanwhile, the plains of Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, Punjab, and Delhi-NCR are grappling with continuous downpours. On September 2, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) issued an orange alert for Delhi, where residents faced severe waterlogging and traffic snarls. In Gurugram, the District Disaster Management Authority ordered all schools closed to ensure student safety.

Chandigarh has also witnessed heavy rainfall for several days. After a high-level review meeting chaired by Mandip Singh Brar, Chief Secretary (in-charge), officials announced that all schools in the Union Territory will remain closed on Tuesday. Police forces have been deployed to manage traffic flow and ensure safety on waterlogged roads.

In Jammu, persistent rainfall forced authorities to shut all schools on Tuesday. The University of Jammu postponed all examinations until September 4, while school, college, and recruitment exams were deferred due to safety concerns. The local meteorological department has predicted moderate to heavy rain across most parts of the division until September 3.