Schools, colleges shut in Mandi as IMD Issues Red alert for Heavy rainfall
Photo used for indicative purpose only
Shimla/Mandi, Aug 25,
In view of the India Meteorological Department’s (IMD) red alert predicting very heavy rainfall, the District Magistrate of Mandi has ordered the closure of all government and private educational institutions, including ITIs, vocational institutes, DIET, and Anganwadis, on August 26, 2025, as a precautionary measure. Only residential institutions such as IIT and NIT, along with essential medical institutions like Shri Lal Bahadur Shastri Government Medical College and other hospitals, will remain functional.
According to the IMD, enhanced rainfall activity is likely over Himachal Pradesh between August 25 and 31, 2025, with the peak on August 25 and 26. Under the influence of a western disturbance, the monsoon trough, and other favourable conditions, light to moderate rainfall is expected at most places with heavy to very heavy rainfall at isolated locations.
For August 25, the IMD has sounded a Red Alert for Chamba, Kangra, and Mandi districts, an Orange Alert for Una, Bilaspur, Hamirpur, and Kullu, and a Yellow Alert for Shimla and Lahaul-Spiti. On August 26, Chamba and Kangra will remain under Red Alert, while Mandi and Kullu will face Orange Alert conditions. Subsequent days carry Yellow Alerts for various districts including Shimla, Sirmaur, Solan, and Una.
The weather department has warned of possible landslides, mudslides, flash floods, riverine flooding, waterlogging in low-lying areas, and damage to standing crops and horticulture. Slippery roads, low visibility, and traffic congestion may also disrupt essential services.
Advisories issued urge residents to avoid unnecessary travel, trekking, or visiting vulnerable areas and water bodies. Citizens have been asked to follow state government traffic advisories and keep updated with weather information.
District Magistrate Apoorv Devgan, while issuing the closure order under Section 30 of the Disaster Management Act, 2005, stated that continuous rainfall has led to landslides, rising river levels, and road closures, posing serious risks to the safety of students. Heads of institutions have been directed to comply with government instructions and ensure student safety.
With the state already reeling under heavy monsoon damage, authorities have urged the public to remain cautious during this period of intense rainfall.
So this monsoon till date, 306 lives have been lost with 38 missing, 367 injured and 27598 livestock dead. More than 6000 Kaccha, Pukka houses, shops, factory, labour shed, cow sheds have been destroyed in the ongoing rains. Total revenue lost pegged at Rs 2394Crore.
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