Odisha, Manipur announce school closures amid floods, unrest

School operations have been disrupted in Odisha and Manipur as authorities ordered closures in several areas this week, citing flood-related risks, restoration work and law-and-order concerns.

In Odisha’s Bhadrak district, 126 schools across Bhadrak, Tihidi, Dhamnagar, Bhandaripokhari and Chandbali blocks were ordered to remain closed on August 20 following flooding and ongoing restoration efforts.

The district administration said the measure was taken as a precaution to protect students, teachers and other school personnel amid the prevailing conditions.

The latest closure came a day after authorities shut 297 schools across six blocks in Bhadrak on August 19, with student safety cited as the primary concern.

Weather conditions in the district are expected to improve, according to the latest India Meteorological Department (IMD) forecast. The agency has predicted cloudy skies, with the possibility of light rain or thunderstorms over the next few days.

Manipur has also announced a statewide closure of educational institutions for three days from August 20 to August 22, 2026.

The state Education Department said the Governor ordered the shutdown in view of the currently “prevailing law-and-order situation” in the state.

The directive covers all schools affiliated with the Board of Secondary Education Manipur, Council of Higher Secondary Education Manipur and Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE), as well as other schools.

Government, aided and unaided colleges and other higher education institutions have also been included in the closure order.

Educational institutions are scheduled to reopen after the three-day shutdown.

Students and parents have been advised to monitor official school communication channels and district administration orders for further updates on closures and reopening schedules.

Meanwhile, schools in Punjab may also remain closed on August 21 in view of a bandh. Further decisions are expected from local authorities based on the situation.