All schools from Classes 1 to 12 and Anganwadi centres in Dehradun district will remain closed on Tuesday, September 1, following an Orange Alert for heavy to very heavy rainfall, thunderstorms and lightning. The one-day closure was ordered by the Dehradun district administration as a precautionary disaster-management measure after the latest weather forecast and nowcast indicated the possibility of intense to extremely intense spells of rain over the next 24 hours.

Which schools will remain closed?

The order covers government, government-aided, private and non-government schools operating Classes 1 to 12 across Dehradun district. All Anganwadi centres in the district are also covered.The District Magistrate and chairperson of the District Disaster Management Authority directed the Chief Education Officer and District Programme Officer to ensure that the order is implemented across the district.

Why have schools been closed?

The India Meteorological Department has issued an Orange Alert for Dehradun, warning of heavy to very heavy rain, lightning and isolated spells of extremely intense rainfall. The administration said such conditions could increase the possibility of accidents and other weather-related incidents. The school closure has therefore been announced to reduce risks to students, teachers and staff.

Heavy rain already affecting Dehradun

The closure comes after heavy rainfall caused disruption in several parts of the district. Six rural roads were reported blocked, while rain damaged roads and houses and pushed some rivers close to or above warning levels. The Tons River was flowing above its warning level, while the Yamuna near Dakpatthar was reported to be just below the warning mark. Authorities also evacuated some houses in areas affected by landslides and rain-related damage. Several parts of Dehradun city also experienced waterlogging following heavy rain, with traffic affected on major roads and response teams deployed in affected areas.

Ganga water level rises in Rishikesh

The impact of the continuing rainfall is also being monitored in Rishikesh, where the Ganga's water level has risen. Officials said the river remained below the warning mark, but SDRF, Water Police and disaster-response teams have been deployed at major ghats as a precaution. Authorities have also been using public announcements to advise tourists, devotees and residents to exercise caution around the river and avoid risky activities.

What happens after September 1?

The current order covers one day — September 1. Any further closure will depend on the weather situation and subsequent instructions from the district administration. The wider weather situation remains active, with heavy rainfall and thunderstorms expected in parts of Uttarakhand. Parents and students should therefore follow official district-level announcements for any further changes.

Heavy rain continued to batter several parts of India on Thursday, triggering landslides, river erosion and disruptions to road and pilgrimage routes, while the weather department issued an orange alert for rain in 16 states, including Rajasthan. Uttarakhand was among the worst-affected states in the morning, with landslides reported from Rudraprayag, Chamoli and Uttarkashi districts. A landslide near Gaurikund forced authorities to close the Kedarnath trekking route, and pilgrims were stopped from proceeding further as a precaution. In Rudraprayag, debris near Silli disrupted traffic on the highway for some time. In another incident, boulders rolled down a hillside near a petrol pump and crushed a car. Haridwar also witnessed a close call when a Kanwar pilgrim was swept away by the strong current of the Ganga while collecting holy water. An SDRF team deployed at the ghat responded quickly and rescued the man before he was carried further downstream.

The situation remained worrying in parts of Uttar Pradesh, where swollen rivers and erosion have started affecting villages. In Ballia, erosion along the Saryu river intensified as water entered residential areas. More than 100 families have reportedly left their homes and shifted to safer places. Two houses were swept into the river, while the land underneath several other homes has already been washed away, leaving residents worried about further damage. A similar situation was reported from Gonda, where the falling water level of the Ghaghra river has led to increased erosion along its banks. Several bighas of land and trees have been swallowed by the river. With the monsoon remaining active, people living close to riverbanks are facing an uncertain situation as changing water levels continue to weaken the surrounding land. Authorities are keeping watch on vulnerable areas, while residents in affected villages are moving belongings and family members away from locations considered unsafe.

Heavy rainfall has also caused disruption in Jammu and Kashmir. In Rajouri, a wall of a government primary school building collapsed following intense rain. No casualty was mentioned in the initial information. Meanwhile, a landslide near Akchamal blocked the Kargil-Leh National Highway, forcing authorities to stop vehicular movement on the route. The developments in Jammu and Kashmir and Uttarakhand come as widespread rainfall continues across several regions of the country. The orange alert covering 16 states indicates the possibility of spells of heavy to very heavy rain in vulnerable areas. For the moment, the biggest concern remains mountainous regions where saturated slopes can trigger sudden landslides and falling rocks, while riverbank areas in the plains are dealing with flooding and erosion. The closure of the Kedarnath route has also directly affected pilgrims, who will have to wait for conditions to improve and the track to be declared safe before their journey resumes. With rainfall continuing, travellers and residents in affected areas are being advised to remain cautious, particularly around landslide-prone roads, swollen rivers and fast-flowing streams.

Monsoon activity remained strong across Madhya Pradesh on Tuesday, with rainfall recorded in more than 35 districts over the past 24 hours. Khajuraho and Mandla received the highest rainfall at 4.2 inches each, while continuous showers over the past six days have significantly narrowed the state's seasonal rainfall deficit.

According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), the state's average rainfall has now reached nearly 7 inches. Until the end of June, Madhya Pradesh was witnessing a 33% rainfall deficit, but persistent monsoon activity has improved the situation, reducing the shortfall to just 1% below normal.

Heavy Rain Across Several Districts

Widespread rainfall was reported from Satna, Ratlam, Sidhi, Umaria, Panna, Pachmarhi, Rewa, Sheopur, Nowgong, Bhopal, Narsinghpur, Damoh, Tikamgarh, Betul, Narmadapuram, Indore, Seoni, Sagar, Shivpuri, Balaghat, Chhindwara, Raisen, Dhar, Jabalpur, Guna, Ujjain, Khandwa, Khargone, Datia, Maihar, Shajapur, Sehore, Chhatarpur, Burhanpur, Barwani and Pandhurna.

The widespread showers have brought relief from heat and humidity in many parts of the state while improving water availability for agriculture.

Rain Triggers Local Incidents

Heavy rain also disrupted normal life in several districts.

In Sendhwa of Barwani district, plaster from the roof of a Class IX classroom at Sandipani (CM Rise) School collapsed during school hours, leaving two students with minor head injuries. Both were admitted to the local Civil Hospital for treatment and are reported to be out of danger. Authorities have ordered an inquiry into the incident.

Meanwhile, near Jetkaran village on the Khudel Road in Indore district, a road caved in following continuous rainfall, making it difficult for schoolchildren to reach their destination. Villagers formed a human chain to safely help children cross a swollen stream, and a video of the rescue effort has surfaced on social media.

Orange Alert for Extremely Heavy Rain

The IMD has issued an Orange Alert for Guna, Ashok Nagar, Vidisha, Sagar and Chhatarpur, warning of extremely heavy rainfall in isolated areas.

Heavy rainfall is also expected in Barwani, Dhar, Burhanpur, Ratlam, Tikamgarh and Panna, along with thunderstorms and lightning in several districts.

Authorities have advised residents to remain cautious, avoid rivers, overflowing drains and waterlogged roads, and follow weather advisories issued by the administration.

Waterlogging Reported in Several Areas

The continuing rainfall has resulted in waterlogging at multiple locations across the state.

In Panna, rainwater entered the surgical and maternity wards of the district hospital, affecting normal operations. In Raisen district, nearly 60 students studying at a Sanskrit school in Bapauli Dham Ashram were safely evacuated after heavy rainfall caused floodwater to enter the campus. Water also entered parts of the temple complex and cowshed within the ashram premises.

Farmers Welcome Rain, Seek Continued Showers

While the rainfall has caused localized disruptions, farmers in several districts have welcomed the improved monsoon activity. In Dhar, where around 238.8 mm (9.4 inches) of rainfall has been recorded so far this season, farmers said the showers have benefited soybean sowing but emphasized that consistent rainfall over the coming weeks will be essential for healthy Kharif crop growth.

Weather officials expect monsoon activity to continue across several parts of Madhya Pradesh over the next few days, with authorities maintaining close watch on vulnerable low-lying areas and river catchments.

Madhya Pradesh is witnessing an intense spell of summer heat, with nearly half of the state coming under the grip of severe heatwave conditions. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued an orange alert for Indore, Ujjain, Dhar and Ratlam districts for Thursday, warning residents of extremely hot weather and strong hot winds over the next several days.

According to the Meteorological Centre in Bhopal, temperatures are expected to remain significantly above normal across western and central Madhya Pradesh until at least May 17. Officials said the Malwa-Nimar region, including Indore and Ujjain divisions, is likely to experience the harshest impact of the ongoing heatwave.

Khajuraho in Chhatarpur district emerged as the hottest place in the state on Wednesday, recording a maximum temperature of 45.4 degrees Celsius. Ratlam followed closely at 45.2 degrees Celsius, while Dhar recorded 45 degrees Celsius. Several other districts also reported temperatures above the 44-degree mark, indicating widespread heatwave conditions across the state.

The IMD stated that warm night conditions are also expected in parts of Indore, Ujjain and Dhar districts. Warm nights occur when minimum temperatures remain significantly above normal, offering little relief from daytime heat and increasing health risks, especially for children, senior citizens and people with medical conditions.

Districts including Jhabua, Alirajpur, Barwani, Khargone, Khandwa, Burhanpur, Harda, Narmadapuram, Dewas, Sehore, Shajapur, Agar Malwa and Rajgarh are also likely to witness heatwave conditions over the next 24 hours. Meteorologists warned that hot and dry winds may further intensify discomfort during afternoon hours.

The impact of rising temperatures is now extending towards Bhopal, Jabalpur and Gwalior divisions as well. Weather officials indicated that districts such as Morena, Bhind, Datia, Sheopur, Tikamgarh, Chhatarpur, Neemuch, Mandsaur and Niwari could record temperatures above 44 degrees Celsius on Thursday.

Among the state’s major cities, Ujjain remained the hottest on Wednesday with a temperature of 44.7 degrees Celsius. Indore recorded 43.6 degrees Celsius, while Bhopal touched 43.2 degrees Celsius. Jabalpur recorded 42.7 degrees Celsius and Gwalior registered 42 degrees Celsius.

Despite the prevailing heat, some districts witnessed sudden weather activity on Wednesday evening. Rainfall was reported in Jabalpur and Seoni, while hailstorm activity occurred in Pandhurna. Several areas also experienced gusty winds and dust storms due to changing atmospheric conditions.

Weather experts said the recent fluctuations in weather patterns were linked to western disturbances, cyclonic circulations and trough activity that affected the state earlier this month. Madhya Pradesh had witnessed continuous spells of rain, thunderstorms and hailstorms for nearly 11 days between May 1 and May 13. However, with the weakening of those systems, dry northwesterly winds have once again intensified heatwave conditions.

The IMD has advised residents to avoid stepping outdoors during peak afternoon hours unless necessary. People have been urged to stay hydrated, wear light cotton clothing and avoid prolonged exposure to direct sunlight. Authorities also advised parents and caregivers to take extra precautions for children and elderly family members.

Public health experts warned that prolonged exposure to extreme temperatures can lead to dehydration, heat exhaustion and heatstroke. Hospitals in several cities have reportedly started witnessing an increase in patients complaining of fatigue, headaches and heat-related illnesses.

Madhya Pradesh has historically experienced extreme summer temperatures during May, particularly in regions such as Gwalior, Khajuraho and Bundelkhand. Weather records show that Gwalior once recorded 48.3 degrees Celsius in May, while Bhopal, Indore and Jabalpur have also crossed the 46-degree mark in previous years.

Even as heatwave conditions continue, weather experts have not ruled out isolated thunderstorms in some eastern districts later this week due to local atmospheric instability. However, no rainfall alert has been issued for Thursday.

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