Archive · 8 Sep 2026
Bihar Floods Close Hundreds Of Schools, Disrupting Student Education
Floods have covered many schools in Bihar with water.
Some school buildings are flooded, while roads to other schools are too dangerous to use.
Because of this, thousands of children cannot attend classes.
Some schools have been closed for days or weeks.
Class 10 students are especially worried because they are preparing for board exams.
Officials say they may hold extra classes after the water goes down.
In some places, children may temporarily study at nearby schools that are still open.
Officials have also been told to arrange boats for teachers and students.
The floods have affected nearly 2.7 million people across 12 districts.
Floodwaters have forced hundreds of government schools across Bihar to close, disrupting studies for thousands of students.
Schools in several districts were submerged or cut off by waterlogged roads, with some closures lasting weeks.
Class 10 students say prolonged closures are affecting their preparation for board examinations early next year.
Authorities have proposed special classes, nearby-school enrolment and boats to help students and teachers after or during the floods.
Nearly 2.7 million people in 12 Bihar districts are affected, while major rivers remain above danger levels in some areas.
- Who
- Thousands of schoolchildren, teachers, school administrators and residents in flood-affected areas of Bihar.
- What
- Flooding has closed or disrupted hundreds of government schools and interrupted students' education.
- When
- During the 2026 monsoon floods; some schools had been closed for more than 50 days, while others closed for 10 days to several weeks.
- Where
- Across flood-affected districts of Bihar, including Khagaria, Patna, Bhagalpur, Samastipur, Saran, West Champaran, Begusarai and other areas.
- Why
- Rising rivers submerged school premises and waterlogged roads and routes, making schools inaccessible or unsafe.
Students And Residents
Authorities
Effect of school closures
Students And Residents
Students and residents say repeated annual flooding interrupts education, leaves syllabuses unfinished and provides few local alternatives for studying.
Authorities
Officials say closures are necessary when school buildings or access routes are flooded and student safety is at risk.
Plans to restore learning
Students And Residents
Residents and students want alternative arrangements during disruptions and say such support has been lacking in some villages.
Authorities
Authorities say they will arrange special classes after floodwaters recede, temporarily enrol affected students in nearby schools and use boats where necessary.
- People affected
- Nearly 2.7 million people across 12 Bihar districts
- Flood-related deaths
- 20 people, according to the report
- Affected schools cited
- 17 in Parbatta, 41 in Maner, 187 in Bhajpur, 26 in Nawagachia and 45 in Samastipur, among other locations
- Longest cited closure
- A school in Siswa, West Champaran, had been closed since July 15, for more than 50 days
- Student concern
- Class 10 students fear delays could affect board-exam preparation early next year
- Proposed responses
- Special classes, temporary enrolment in nearby unaffected schools and boats for teachers and students
- River conditions
- The Ganga, Kosi and Gandak were rising and flowing above danger levels at some places