Bengaluru Rains: Schools Should Declare A Holiday, Demands Netizens

Amid relentless rainfall and an orange alert issued by the IMD, Bengaluru residents are calling on authorities to declare a holiday for schools, citing safety concerns for students navigating through the adverse weather conditions. Notably, during a previous spell of heavy rainfall, the Bengaluru Collector had declared holidays for schools and colleges to ensure public safety.

Meanwhile, Schools and colleges in the neighboring districts of Kolar and Chikkaballapur have been declared a holiday on December 2, 2024.

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued an orange alert for Bengaluru and nearby districts, predicting heavy rainfall exceeding 100 mm in some areas until Tuesday, December 3. Coupled with the impact of Cyclone Fengal, the Karnataka State Natural Disaster Monitoring Centre (KSNDMC) has warned of widespread rainfall across south interior Karnataka, with heavy to very heavy rainfall likely on Monday and Tuesday.

Cyclone Fengal's influence has cast an overcast spell over the city for the past two days, accompanied by light showers. Temperatures have significantly dropped, with Bengaluru recording a maximum of 22.6°C on Saturday and a minimum of 19.5°C on Sunday morning.

In the coming days, the city's minimum temperatures are expected to hover around 17-18°C, while parts of North Karnataka may experience temperatures as low as 10-12°C. Rainfall has already been recorded in isolated areas across Bengaluru and its neighboring districts, including Kolar, Chikkaballapur, and Bengaluru Rural.

Cyclone Fengal made landfall near Puducherry on November 30 with wind speeds reaching 90 km/h. It has caused severe flooding in Tamil Nadu and Puducherry, displacing residents and inundating homes and hospitals. The cyclone's after-effects are now being felt in Karnataka, with fluctuating temperatures and persistent rain impacting daily life in Bengaluru.

Growing Demand for School Holidays

The persistent rains and weather warnings have led netizens to voice their concerns on social media, with many calling for school holidays. Parents and residents argue that commuting during such conditions poses significant risks for students and school staff.

"Safety should be the priority. Authorities must consider declaring a holiday until the situation improves," wrote one concerned parent on a social media platform.

As rainfall continues to disrupt normalcy in Bengaluru, the city awaits an official response from local authorities regarding school closures. With temperatures dipping further and rain showing no signs of relenting, many believe a temporary pause in school activities would be a prudent decision to ensure the safety and well-being of students.

For now, residents are advised to stay updated with weather alerts and report any rain-related emergencies to the helplines provided by the BBMP and KSNDMC.