SCHOOL HOLIDAYS DECLARED IN TELANGANA

The Telangana state government has announced special school holidays following an alert issued by the weather department predicting heavy rainfall in various regions. As a precautionary measure, the authorities have declared half-day holidays for schools within the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) limits and full-day holidays for schools in other affected districts for August 13 and 14.

The decision was taken after the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) issued forecasts indicating the possibility of moderate to heavy rainfall, accompanied by thunderstorms, across multiple areas in Telangana. Given the potential for waterlogging, traffic disruptions, and related safety hazards, the government decided that suspending regular school operations would be in the best interest of students and staff.

GHMC Area: Half-Day Relief

In Hyderabad and surrounding GHMC zones, schools were instructed to function only for half a day. Classes began as usual in the morning but were wrapped up by midday to allow students to return home before weather conditions could worsen. This approach was taken to ensure that academic schedules were only minimally disrupted while prioritising the safety of children.

Several parents expressed relief over the half-day arrangement, noting that it allowed them to make necessary adjustments without the complete loss of a school day. School managements coordinated with transport operators to ensure early pickups and safe drop-offs.

Full-Day Holiday for Other Districts

For districts facing heavier rainfall predictions, such as Warangal, Nizamabad, Karimnagar, and Adilabad, authorities declared a complete suspension of school activities for August 13 and 14. The move aimed to reduce travel risks for students, especially in rural and semi-urban areas where road conditions could deteriorate quickly during downpours.

The District Education Officers (DEOs) have instructed schools to compensate for the lost working days by adjusting their academic calendars, possibly by holding extra classes once the weather stabilises.

Extended Break for Students

Interestingly, this announcement has unintentionally given many students a continuous five-day holiday. The two days of declared closure combined with the weekend and a pre-scheduled local holiday—created an unexpected mini-vacation.

Students, unsurprisingly, welcomed the news with excitement. Social media platforms quickly filled with posts from schoolchildren sharing their holiday plans, ranging from catching up on sleep to binge-watching shows, visiting relatives, or simply enjoying indoor games with friends.

Safety and Preparedness Measures

Alongside the holiday declaration, municipal bodies and district administrations have urged residents to remain cautious during the rainfall spell. The GHMC has deployed additional disaster response teams to address waterlogging complaints, clear fallen trees, and manage any emergency situations.

Parents were advised to avoid sending children outdoors unnecessarily and to keep them away from open drains, overflowing nalas, and low-lying areas prone to flooding. Health officials have also reminded citizens to drink safe water and maintain hygiene to prevent seasonal diseases such as dengue, malaria, and gastroenteritis.

Schools Switching to Online Mode

Some private institutions within the GHMC and affected districts have opted to conduct short online revision sessions during the holiday period. This hybrid approach is intended to maintain academic continuity, especially for students preparing for board exams or competitive entrance tests.

While many government schools lack the infrastructure for online teaching, teachers in rural districts are using messaging apps to share assignments and study material. This effort aims to keep students engaged without exposing them to travel risks.

Looking Ahead

Meteorologists have warned that the monsoon activity in Telangana is likely to remain active for the next few days. Authorities have said that further extensions of school holidays will be considered if the rainfall situation worsens.

For now, the holiday announcement serves as both a precautionary safety step and a temporary breather for students and teachers alike. It also underscores the government’s responsiveness in balancing educational priorities with public safety during unpredictable weather events.

As the skies over Telangana remain cloudy and the scent of rain fills the air, many families are settling into a cozy few days indoors grateful for the extra time together while hoping the downpours pass without major disruptions.