Schools closed in Punjab (Photo: PTI)
Following heavy rains, Punjab has closed all schools till Saturday as several areas of the state are facing flood-like situation. Punjab Education Minister Harjot Bains said on Wednesday that the school holidays in the state will continue till August 26.
The government’s decision comes at a time when some districts are facing a flood-like situation due to excessive water inflow from Pong and Bhakra dams, which has worsened due to heavy rains in adjoining Himachal Pradesh.
School closures in Punjab: Overview
Minister Bains tweeted, “As per the instructions of Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann ji, in view of the floods caused by heavy rains in various districts of Punjab and Himachal Pradesh, all government/aided/recognised and private schools in the state are closed.” Ordered to do.” For security reasons, inform with immediate effect. The holiday will be observed from today (23 August 2023) to 26 August 2023 (Saturday) with immediate effect.
Some areas of Punjab’s Gurdaspur, Ferozepur, Hoshiarpur and Kapurthala districts were inundated after excess water was released from the Pong and Bhakra dams in the wake of heavy rains last week.
According to the India Meteorological Department, the state is likely to receive more rain this week.
Heavy rains in Punjab: Insights
After the excess water was released, the water level in the Beas and Sutlej rivers rose, flooding low-lying areas close to both the rivers. The state capital Chandigarh also received heavy rains during the past few days, bringing down the temperature after the scorching heat. Mohali in Punjab and Panchkula in Haryana also received heavy rains.
According to BBMB secretary Satish Singla, the water level in Bhakra and Pong dams reached 1,677 feet and 1,398 feet on Wednesday.
Due to rains in the catchment areas in recent days, water inflow into the dams was very high, with Bhakra Dam receiving 1.93 lakh cusecs and Pong Dam receiving over seven lakh cusecs.
first published: 24 August 2023 | 4:28 pm First