Telangana closes schools in districts amid heavy rain alert
Telangana has ordered the closure of schools in five districts and shortened class hours in Hyderabad as a precautionary measure following forecasts of intense rainfall over the next two days. The move, announced by the state’s school education department, aims to minimise disruption and ensure the safety of students while authorities prepare for possible flood-like situations in vulnerable areas.
The directive affects all government and private schools in five districts — Warangal, Hanumakonda, Jangaon, Mahabubabad and Yadadri Bhuvanagiri — which will remain closed on 13 and 14 August. In the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation area, schools will operate only in the morning shift to ensure students can return home before conditions worsen.
According to senior education officials, the measure is a precautionary step to safeguard students, particularly in areas vulnerable to flooding and waterlogging. Meteorologists have indicated that the coming 72 hours could bring intense rainfall activity, with the possibility of flash floods in urban and low-lying regions. The state’s irrigation department has been placed on emergency footing, with instructions for all personnel to remain at their posts until further notice. Leave for staff has been cancelled for the next four days to enable continuous monitoring of dams, canals, tanks and reservoirs. Senior officials have been tasked with maintaining direct communication channels for quick escalation of any situation that threatens infrastructure or public safety.
In parallel, the health department has issued a preparedness advisory to hospital administrators across the state, emphasising the need to be fully staffed and ready to respond to a possible rise in rain-related medical emergencies. Officials have been asked to ensure adequate supplies of essential medicines and maintain emergency wards for potential casualties from accidents, vector-borne diseases, or water contamination. The state’s disaster management control room has also stepped up monitoring of rainfall patterns and river flows, warning residents in low-lying areas to remain alert and avoid unnecessary travel during peak rain periods. Urban planners and traffic managers in Hyderabad are exploring measures to limit congestion, including encouraging IT companies to allow employees to work from home until conditions improve.
Environmental experts note that extreme rainfall events in the region are becoming more frequent, underscoring the need for sustainable urban drainage systems and better land-use planning. They stress that closures and operational restrictions, while inconvenient, are critical to reducing human exposure to weather hazards. With the weather office predicting that the rains will continue into mid-week, authorities are urging citizens to follow safety advisories and avoid risky activities such as crossing flooded roads or venturing near swollen water bodies. The next review of the situation is expected within 48 hours, with further measures possible if the rainfall intensifies.
