Delhi schools in flood-affected areas to remain closed until Tuesday

Following decrease in water levels, schools in non-flooded districts of Delhi will reopen on Monday

| Updated: 16 July, 2023 10:02 pm IST

Delhi Education minister Atishi visited a relief camp for flood-affected people in Kashmere Gate

NEW DELHI: The Delhi government has decided to keep all government, aided and private recognised schools in flood-affected areas of the national capital closed for students until Tuesday.

Schools in the remaining districts of the Directorate of Education (DoE) will resume classes from Monday onward. However, all schools in all districts of Delhi will function normally from Wednesday onward.

In a statement, the government stated that due to the ongoing flood relief camps in schools located near the Yamuna River, it has been decided to keep schools closed for students in the affected districts of DoE – East, North East, North West-A, North, Central, and South East – on July 17th and 18th, 2023 (Monday and Tuesday).

The heads of all schools in these districts have been instructed to inform parents about the closure immediately. Wherever feasible, schools are encouraged to arrange online classes during this period, according to the government.

On the other hand, schools in the remaining districts of DoE – North West-B, West-A, West-B, South, South West-A, South West-B, and New Delhi – will open as scheduled on Monday, July 17th, 2023.

The heads of schools in these districts have the flexibility to choose between physical or hybrid modes of teaching (offline or online) based on the convenience of their students.

The circular issued by the government also emphasised the need for schools in these districts to inform parents about their decision well in advance.

Meanwhile, the Delhi Flood Control Department reported that the water level in the Yamuna River was recorded at 206.02 metres on Sunday morning, a decrease from 207.58 metres on Saturday morning.

The situation of waterlogging in several low-lying areas, including roads from Kashmere Gate to Majnu Ka Tila, has shown signs of improvement as the water level slowly recedes.

Officials predict that the water level of the Yamuna River is likely to fall below the danger mark in the next few hours. The river crossed the danger mark of 205.33 metres on July 10th but has been gradually subsiding since then.

With the water level showing a declining trend, the focus is now shifting towards the recovery and restoration of normalcy in flood-affected areas.