Archive · 22 Sep 2026
Odisha Closes Schools as Heavy Rain Threat Intensifies
Heavy rain is expected in parts of Odisha.
Because of this, schools in several districts have been closed.
Schools in Malkangiri and Anganwadi centres will stay closed until September 24.
The scholarship examination on September 22 will still take place.
Teachers and school staff in some districts must remain at their posting locations.
Officials are preparing school buildings and sending teams to areas that may be vulnerable.
The weather could cause waterlogging, flooding, landslides and mudslides.
The weather department has issued strong warnings for several districts.
Schools in several Odisha districts were closed amid forecasts of heavy to very heavy rainfall.
Schools in Malkangiri and Anganwadi centres across affected areas will remain closed until September 24.
The National Rural Talent Scholarship examination on September 22 will proceed at designated centres.
Officials cancelled employees’ leave, deployed teams and ordered emergency preparedness measures in vulnerable areas.
The IMD forecast heavy rainfall, possible flooding and landslides, with red alerts extended to several districts.
- Who
- The Odisha government, district administrations, the India Meteorological Department and Chief Secretary Anu Garg are coordinating the response.
- What
- Schools and Anganwadi centres have been closed in several areas, while emergency preparedness measures have been introduced because of forecast heavy rainfall.
- When
- Closures and warnings apply from September 22 through September 25, with some school and Anganwadi closures continuing until September 24.
- Where
- Southern and coastal Odisha, including Malkangiri, Koraput, Gajapati, Ganjam, Kalahandi and Nabarangpur.
- Why
- The India Meteorological Department forecast heavy to very heavy rainfall, with risks of waterlogging, flooding, landslides and mudslides.
- School closures
- Khurda, Jagatsinghpur, Ganjam and Gajapati announced closures for the day; Malkangiri schools will remain closed until September 24.
- Anganwadi centres
- Anganwadi centres will remain closed until September 24.
- Scholarship examination
- The National Rural Talent Scholarship examination scheduled for September 22 will proceed as planned.
- Weather system
- The depression over the Bay of Bengal was reported about 220 kilometres from Gopalpur and 320 kilometres from Visakhapatnam.
- High-alert areas
- Collectors in 11 areas were placed on high alert.
- Red alert
- A red alert for September 24 and 25 was extended to Kalahandi, Nabarangpur, Koraput and Malkangiri.
- Preparedness measures
- Employee leave was cancelled, teams were deployed, and school rosters were ordered to keep buildings accessible for emergencies.