schools-shut-in-pithoragarh-as-imd-warns-of-heavy-rainfall

All schools from Classes 1 to 12, including Anganwadi centres, will remain closed in Uttarakhand’s Pithoragarh district on Saturday due to heavy rainfall warnings. The decision was announced by the state’s Department of Information and Public Relations.

 

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) had issued an orange alert for the district on Friday, forecasting heavy to very heavy rain, thunderstorms, and lightning.

 

“In view of heavy rainfall, tomorrow, 23 August (Saturday), all government, non-government, and private schools from classes 1 to 12, along with all Anganwadi centers, will remain closed in Pithoragarh district,” the Uttarakhand DIPR said in a post on X.

 

The District Magistrate of Pithoragarh has asked the Chief Education Officer and District Programme Officer to ensure strict compliance with the order.

 

"According to the weather forecast issued by the IMD Dehradun on August 22, there is a possibility of heavy to very heavy rainfall/thunder accompanied by lightning/intense spells of rain at some places in Pithoragah district and other districts of the state on August 23," the DM's order stated.

 

"Therefore, in sequence of weather warning issued by IMD, Dehradun, a one-day holiday is declared on August 23 (Saturday) in all government, non-government, private schools and all anganwadi centres running from Class 1 to Class 12 in Pithoragarh district in view of the safety of students," the order added.

 

The IMD further said "In the next 24 hours (Orange Alert from 22.8.2025, 2:05 PM to 23.8.2025, 2:05 PM) there is a possibility of thunderstorms/lightning and very intense rain at different places in Dehradun, Tehri, Pauri, Uttarkashi, Chamoli, Rudraprayag, Nainital, Almora and Udham Singh Nagar such as Kotdwar, Rishikesh, Gangotri, Kashipur, Kedarnath, Joshimath, Mussoorie, Munsyari, Lohaghat, Ranikhet, Khatima and adjoining areas.”

 

An orange alert is issued when rainfall is expected to be between 115.6 mm and 204.4 mm within 24 hours.

 

Earlier, the Thal–Munsyari and Munsyari–Milam roads in Pithoragarh were closed due to rains. The police have urged people to remain alert, especially in landslide-prone areas.