Mumbai Rains: After a day of relentless rain, waterlogged roads, disrupted train services and massive traffic snarls, one question is on the minds of thousands of parents across Mumbai: Will schools remain open on Thursday?
As of Wednesday evening, no official holiday has been announced by the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) or the Maharashtra government, and schools are expected to function as usual unless authorities issue a fresh advisory.
Rain Brings Mumbai To A Standstill
Heavy showers lashed Mumbai throughout Wednesday, leading to severe waterlogging in several western suburbs, including Andheri West, while traffic crawled along the Western Express Highway near Santacruz East.
Rail commuters also faced disruption after Harbour Line services were suspended early in the
day following an overhead wire failure between Nerul and Vashi, resulting in overcrowding at several stations before services were gradually restored.
The IMD has warned that rainfall activity is likely to intensify further during the first week of July, with heavy to very heavy rain forecast for Mumbai and the Konkan region.
School Bus Tragedy Adds To Parents’ Concerns
The uncertainty comes just a day after an 11-year-old student lost his life in a school bus tragedy, an incident that has already heightened safety concerns among parents.
With heavy rain expected to continue, many families are questioning whether children should be required to travel through waterlogged roads and traffic congestion if weather conditions worsen.
What Is The Forecast For Thursday?
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecast heavy rainfall over Mumbai on Thursday, with rain activity expected to remain intense across the Mumbai Metropolitan Region over the next few days.
Forecasts also warn of possible waterlogging in low-lying areas, traffic congestion and localised flooding if intense spells continue. Flash flood risk has also been flagged for Mumbai district and parts of Konkan.
Despite the forecast, authorities have not issued any order closing schools so far.
Other States Have Already Declared School Holidays
While Mumbai is awaiting an official decision, several districts in Kerala have already announced school holidays because of heavy rain.
Authorities in Kannur and Kasaragod declared a holiday on Wednesday for schools, professional colleges, Anganwadis, Kendriya Vidyalayas, CBSE and ICSE schools, tuition centres and madrasas after the IMD issued an Orange Alert. Residential schools were exempted, while scheduled university examinations and interviews were allowed to continue.
The closures were announced as a precaution amid forecasts of persistent heavy rainfall.
What Parents Should Watch For
If rainfall intensifies overnight, the BMC and district administration could review the situation based on weather conditions, flooding and commuter safety. However, until an official notification is issued, schools in Mumbai remain scheduled to operate normally on Thursday.
Parents are advised to monitor updates from the BMC, their schools and the IMD before leaving home on Thursday morning.
