Is Heavy Rain Causing School Closures in Rajasthan?

Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- Heavy rains have led to school closures in 10 districts of Rajasthan.
- A Red Alert is active for specific areas.
- Precautionary measures are being enforced due to safety concerns.
- Authorities are investigating a tragic school collapse.
- Immediate actions are being taken to ensure student safety.
Jaipur, July 28 (NationPress) A new weather pattern has led to persistent heavy rainfall across several districts in Rajasthan for the last two days. The Meteorological Department has issued warnings for additional heavy rains in the next 48 hours, necessitating precautionary actions throughout the state. Consequently, school closures have been announced in 10 districts.
A Red Alert has been declared for extremely heavy rain in Baran, Bharatpur, Jhalawar, and Karauli on Monday.
In addition, an Orange Alert is active for Alwar, Banswara, Bundi, Chittorgarh, Dausa, Dholpur, Dungarpur, Kota, Pratapgarh, and Sawai Madhopur; while a Yellow Alert is in effect for Ajmer, Bhilwara, Jhunjhunu, Jaipur, Rajsamand, Sikar, Sirohi, Tonk, Udaipur, Bikaner, Churu, Hanumangarh, Jalore, Jodhpur, Nagaur, Pali, and Sriganganagar.
This heightened alert follows a tragic incident on Friday, when the wall and roof of a government school in Piplodi village, Jhalawar district, collapsed due to relentless rainfall, tragically resulting in the deaths of seven children and injuring 21 others.
Residents and parents voiced concerns that previous complaints about the unsafe structure had been neglected by the authorities.
As a consequence, five teachers, including headmaster Meena Garg, have been suspended by the Education Department pending further investigation. The state Education Minister has ordered a high-level inquiry, with directives to ensure urgent medical assistance and reassess school infrastructure statewide.
District Collector Ajay Singh Rathore confirmed that this school had not been identified as hazardous earlier, despite broader orders to compile a list of dilapidated buildings.
The incident has shocked the state and prompted immediate safety actions.
In order to prevent similar tragedies, the administration has swiftly decided to close schools in at-risk areas.
Schools will remain closed on Monday and Tuesday in Tonk, Dungarpur, Chittorgarh, Beawar, Pratapgarh, and Baran.
Additionally, schools in Ajmer were closed on Monday; in Dholpur, closures will last for three days starting Monday; while in Jhalawar, all schools will remain shut from July 28 to August 2 due to ongoing heavy rainfall and safety concerns.
Authorities are on high alert, and parents are urged to stay informed via official channels. The situation is under close observation, and further decisions will depend on changing weather conditions.