Authorities in Lonavala have ordered a two-day closure of schools on August 20 and 21 following heavy rainfall and a red alert issued by the India Meteorological Department (IMD). The order, announced by the municipal council, covers all primary, secondary and higher secondary schools in the hill station.
Municipal Council Chief Executive Officer Ashok Sabale confirmed that the decision was taken after the education department raised concerns over student safety. “Given the heavy rainfall and red alert, it was considered necessary to shut down schools as a precautionary measure,” Sabale said. However, he added that no decision has yet been taken regarding the closure of colleges.
In Pune city, schools continued to function as usual on Wednesday, with no closure orders issued by the district administration. Officials noted that while the city is likely to see light to moderate rainfall, the IMD has warned of heavy to very heavy showers in ghat areas, particularly around Lonavala, which are prone to waterlogging and landslides.
Rainfall activity intensified across the district on Tuesday. According to IMD data, Shivajinagar recorded 41.4 mm of rain in just over eight hours, the second-highest single-day total since the onset of the monsoon on June 1. Other areas also saw significant downpours, including Girivan (82 mm), Lavale (52.5 mm) and Talegaon (43 mm), raising concerns about saturated soil and the potential for localized flooding.
The impact of the IMD’s red and orange alerts extended beyond Pune district. Several municipal bodies in Thane, Panvel and Navi Mumbai also declared precautionary holidays for schools on August 20. In Mumbai, however, schools remained open after the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) dismissed social media rumours of closures, clarifying that no such order had been issued.
Officials have urged parents, commuters and residents in affected areas to remain cautious. “People should avoid unnecessary travel in ghat regions and low-lying areas where waterlogging is possible. The risk of landslides and traffic disruptions remains high,” a district disaster management officer said.
The IMD has forecast continued rainfall activity over the next 48 hours in several parts of Maharashtra, particularly along the Western Ghats. Authorities said they are closely monitoring the situation and will issue fresh advisories if weather conditions worsen.
For now, while Pune city schools remain unaffected, students and parents in Lonavala and nearby regions face a two-day disruption as authorities prioritize safety amid persistent heavy rain.
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