School Holiday on 29 August 2025: Punjab, Himachal, J&K, Uttarakhand Shut for Rain; Kerala for Onam.

School Holiday on 29 August 2025: Punjab, Himachal, J&K, Uttarakhand Shut for Rain; Kerala for Onam.

School Holiday on 29 August 2025: States and Cities Affected by Rain and Festivals.

Date: August 28, 2025
Author: Akshita Jolly, Multimedia Journalist, Jagran New Media
Image Source: Getty Images

Image Caption: Students in Punjab and Himachal Pradesh stay home as heavy rainfall prompts school closures across multiple districts on August 29, 2025.

            The final week of August 2025 has brought a confluence of extreme weather and cultural celebrations, leading to widespread school closures across India. Heavy rainfall, cloudbursts, and flood-like conditions in states such as Punjab, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir, and Uttarakhand have prompted authorities to prioritize student safety, while Kerala’s vibrant Onam festival has granted students an extended holiday.

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecasted above-normal rainfall across north, west, and central India until at least September 4, with wet weather expected to persist until September 18. This article provides a detailed overview of school closures on August 29, 2025, due to weather alerts and regional festivals, highlighting affected states, cities, and the underlying factors driving these disruptions.

Overview of School Closures on August 29, 2025

The combination of relentless monsoon rains and cultural festivities has significantly impacted India’s academic calendar. In northern states, heavy downpours, cloudbursts, and flooding risks have led to precautionary school closures, while southern states like Kerala are celebrating the 10-day Onam festival. The IMD’s warnings of continued heavy rainfall, driven by shifting monsoon patterns and climate change, have heightened safety concerns, particularly in flood-prone regions. Below is a state-by-state breakdown of school holidays on August 29, 2025, based on official announcements and weather alerts.

Punjab: Schools Closed Until August 30 Due to Floods

Status: All government and private schools, colleges, and educational institutions closed until August 30, 2025.

Affected Cities: Pathankot, Amritsar, Hoshiarpur, Ludhiana, Patiala, Gurdaspur, Jalandhar, Kapurthala, Fazilka, Sangrur.

Reason: Heavy rainfall and flood-like conditions triggered by rising water levels in the Satluj, Beas, and Ravi rivers, exacerbated by water releases from the Ranjit Sagar and Bhakra dams.

Source: Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann’s announcement on X, citing IMD’s forecast of heavy rainfall.

Punjab has been battered by incessant rains, leading to severe flooding in multiple districts. The IMD’s red alert for districts like Pathankot, Gurdaspur, and Sangrur, combined with a yellow alert for heavy rainfall across the state, prompted Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann to declare a state-wide closure of all educational institutions from August 27 to August 30. Cities such as Pathankot, Amritsar, Hoshiarpur, Ludhiana, and Patiala have recorded significant rainfall, with floodwaters disrupting normal life. The state government’s decision aims to protect students from hazardous travel conditions and waterlogging, with authorities urging parents to monitor official circulars for updates.

Himachal Pradesh: Red and Yellow Alerts Prompt Closures

Status: Schools closed in multiple districts on August 29, with potential extensions based on weather conditions.

Affected Districts: Chamba, Kangra, Mandi, Shimla, Kullu, Solan, Una, Hamirpur, Bilaspur.

Reason: IMD’s red alert for Chamba, Kangra, and Mandi (August 29–30) and yellow alert for Shimla and Mandi (August 29), with an orange alert for Mandi, Shimla, and Solan (August 30–31).

Source: Local meteorological office and district administration announcements.

Himachal Pradesh has faced relentless downpours, with cloudbursts reported in Kangra’s Indora, Fatehpur, Jasur, and Nurpur areas. The IMD’s red alert for Chamba, Kangra, and Mandi signals extremely heavy rainfall, while a yellow alert for Shimla and Mandi warns of isolated heavy rain on August 29.

An orange alert for August 30–31 in Mandi, Shimla, and Solan, and August 31 in Kullu, indicates worsening conditions. Schools in these districts, including primary, secondary, and higher secondary institutions, will remain closed on August 29 to ensure student safety. Parents are advised to check school websites and district administration updates, as last-minute extensions are possible due to the volatile weather.

Jammu and Kashmir: Schools Shut Amid Cloudbursts

Status: All government and private schools in the Jammu Division closed on August 29, with Kashmir University postponing exams.

Affected Areas: Jammu, Reasi, Udhampur, Rajouri, Poonch, Samba, Kathua, Doda, Kishtwar, Ramban, and parts of Kashmir.

Reason: Heavy rainfall, cloudbursts, and flash flood risks, with poor visibility reported across the Union Territory.

Source: Announcement by Sakina Itoo, Minister of School/Hr Education, on X; Kashmir University notice.

Jammu and Kashmir have been severely impacted by heavy rains and cloudbursts, prompting the Union Territory government to close all schools in the Jammu Division on August 29. The IMD’s warnings of landslides and flash floods in vulnerable districts like Jammu, Reasi, and Poonch have heightened safety concerns.

Kashmir University postponed all examinations scheduled for August 28, with no confirmation on August 29 exams, advising students to monitor the official website (www.kashmiruniversity.net) for rescheduling updates. The closure reflects a cautious approach to protect students amid poor visibility and hazardous conditions, with authorities urging residents to avoid unnecessary travel.

Uttarakhand: Targeted Closures in High-Risk Districts

Status: Schools closed in Chamoli and other high-risk districts on August 29, with potential extensions.

Affected Districts: Chamoli, Dehradun, Rudraprayag, Pithoragarh.
Reason: Heavy rainfall and cloudburst risks, with IMD issuing red and orange alerts for multiple districts.

Source: District administration orders and IMD alerts.

Uttarakhand’s Chamoli district, along with Dehradun, Rudraprayag, and Pithoragarh, has faced severe weather, including cloudbursts and landslides. The IMD’s red and orange alerts for August 29–30, forecasting heavy to extremely heavy rainfall, have led to school closures in these areas. The Dehradun administration previously closed schools on August 12 due to similar alerts, and Chamoli’s ongoing risks prompted a holiday on August 29. The suspension of the Kedarnath Yatra due to heavy rain underscores the severity, with authorities advising residents near rivers to relocate. Parents should stay updated via district administration notices, as closures may extend if conditions deteriorate.

Kerala: Extended Onam Holiday

Status: All schools closed from August 27 to September 7, 2025, for Onam celebrations.

Affected Areas: State-wide, including Thiruvananthapuram, Kochi, Thrissur, Kozhikode.

Reason: Onam, Kerala’s most significant cultural festival, celebrated with a 10-day school holiday.

Source: Kerala Education Department announcement.

Kerala’s schools are enjoying an extended break from August 27 to September 7, 2025, for Onam, the state’s vibrant harvest festival. Celebrated with cultural events, feasts, and traditional performances like Onam Sadhya and Pookalam, the holiday provides students a 10-day respite. Schools across Thiruvananthapuram, Kochi, Thrissur, and Kozhikode will reopen on September 8. Unlike northern states, Kerala’s closures are festive rather than weather-related, though coastal areas remain vigilant for potential rain alerts. The Education Department has urged schools to resume normal schedules post-festival, with no extensions anticipated unless weather conditions worsen.

Other States and Cities: No Confirmed Closures

Maharashtra, Goa, Karnataka, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh:

Schools in these states, which observed holidays on August 27 for Ganesh Chaturthi, are expected to reopen on August 29 unless local weather alerts prompt last-minute closures. Mumbai, Thane, and Pune, previously affected by heavy rain, reported no closures for August 29, with the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) debunking rumors of holidays.

Karnataka’s coastal districts (Udupi, Dakshina Kannada) and Telangana’s Hyderabad and Warangal, which faced earlier rain-related closures, are monitoring IMD alerts but have not announced holidays for August 29.

Rajasthan:

Jaipur and Nagaur, closed on August 25–26 due to heavy rainfall, have no confirmed closures for August 29. However, the IMD’s forecast of continued rain may lead to last-minute announcements.

Andhra Pradesh and Telangana:

Districts like Vizag, Vizianagaram, and Anakapalli closed schools on August 18 due to heavy rain alerts, but no state-wide holiday is confirmed for August 29. Local authorities are monitoring conditions.

Parents and students in these states should check school websites and district administration updates for real-time information, as monsoon conditions can trigger sudden closures.

Why Is This Monsoon So Severe?

The 2025 monsoon has been one of the wettest in over a decade, with northwest India receiving 23% more rainfall than usual since June 1. The IMD attributes this to three key factors:

Shifting Rainfall Patterns: Climate change has altered the monsoon trough’s path, increasing low-pressure systems and causing heavy rainfall in traditionally drier regions like Rajasthan and Gujarat.

Western Disturbances and Monsoon Currents: Frequent interactions between western disturbances and monsoon currents have amplified rainfall across North India, particularly in Punjab, Himachal Pradesh, and Jammu and Kashmir.

Warming Atmosphere: A warmer climate leads to fewer rainy days but more intense, short downpours, as a warmer atmosphere holds more moisture, resulting in heavier rainfall globally.

These factors have led to cloudbursts, flash floods, and waterlogging, necessitating school closures to ensure safety. The IMD’s forecast of above-normal rainfall until September 18 underscores the need for vigilance, with red, orange, and yellow alerts signaling potential disruptions.

IMD Weather Alerts for August 29–31, 2025

Red Alert (Extremely Heavy Rainfall): Chamba, Kangra, Mandi (Himachal Pradesh, August 29–30).

Orange Alert (Heavy to Very Heavy Rainfall): Mandi, Shimla, Solan (August 30–31); Kullu, Kangra, Shimla, Mandi (August 31).

Yellow Alert (Heavy Rainfall): Shimla, Mandi, Una, Hamirpur, Bilaspur (August 29); multiple districts in Punjab, Uttarakhand, and Jammu and Kashmir.

Forecast: Above-normal rainfall expected in north, west, and central India until September 4, with wet weather persisting until September 18.

These alerts have directly influenced school closure decisions, with district administrations acting swiftly to mitigate risks from flooding, landslides, and poor visibility.

Impact on Students and Parents

School closures, while necessary for safety, disrupt academic schedules and pose challenges for parents managing childcare. In Punjab, Himachal Pradesh, and Jammu and Kashmir, flooded roads and waterlogging have made travel hazardous, justifying the closures. In Kerala, the Onam holiday offers a cultural respite, but students must prepare for a return to classes on September 8. Parents are advised to:

Monitor official school and district administration websites for updates.

Avoid travel in flood-prone areas and follow IMD advisories.

Prepare for potential online classes if closures extend, as seen in previous rain-related disruptions.

The absence of VAR (Video Assistant Referee) in weather forecasting—unlike in sports—means decisions rely on real-time IMD updates and local observations, making communication critical.

Official Announcements and Sources

Punjab: Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann’s X post on August 27, 2025, confirmed state-wide closures until August 30.

Himachal Pradesh: District administrations in Chamba, Kangra, Mandi, and Shimla issued closure orders, supported by IMD’s red and yellow alerts.

Jammu and Kashmir: Sakina Itoo’s announcement on X and Kashmir University’s notice confirmed closures and exam postponements.

Uttarakhand: Chamoli and Dehradun district administrations issued orders based on IMD alerts.

Kerala: Education Department’s calendar confirmed the Onam holiday from August 27 to September 7.

Students and parents should rely on verified sources, as misinformation about closures has been reported, notably in Mumbai, where the BMC debunked fake messages.

Broader Context: Monsoon and Education

The 2025 monsoon’s intensity has disrupted education across India, with states like Maharashtra, Karnataka, and Telangana also facing earlier closures. The DFB-Pokal-style unpredictability of the monsoon—where underdog weather systems can upend plans—mirrors the challenges faced by schools. The IMD’s forecast of continued wet weather into September suggests more disruptions, particularly in northern states. Meanwhile, cultural festivals like Onam and Ganesh Chaturthi provide scheduled breaks, balancing the academic calendar with tradition.

The interplay of climate change and education highlights the need for adaptive measures, such as hybrid learning models or infrastructure improvements to mitigate flooding. Schools in flood-prone areas like Punjab’s Pathankot or Himachal’s Kangra may need contingency plans, similar to Bayern Munich’s tactical adjustments after a scrappy win.

Fan and Community Reactions

Posts on X reflect public sentiment, with parents in Punjab expressing relief over closures but concern about academic delays. “Safety first, but how will kids catch up?” one user posted. In Kerala, Onam celebrations dominate discussions, with users sharing images of Pookalam designs. Jammu and Kashmir residents voiced frustration over frequent disruptions, with one user noting, “Cloudbursts every week, schools can’t function!” The IMD’s alerts sparked debates about climate change, with users urging better urban planning to combat waterlogging.

School closures on August 29, 2025, reflect India’s dual challenge of managing extreme weather and honoring cultural traditions. Punjab, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir, and Uttarakhand have shut schools due to heavy rainfall, cloudbursts, and flooding risks, driven by the IMD’s red, orange, and yellow alerts.

Kerala’s 10-day Onam holiday offers a festive break, while other states monitor conditions for potential last-minute closures. The 2025 monsoon’s severity, fueled by climate change and shifting weather patterns, underscores the need for proactive safety measures and academic flexibility. Parents and students must stay informed via official channels, as the wet weather is set to continue into September, testing India’s resilience in education and beyond.