Mumbai School Holiday on August 21: Will Schools, Colleges Remain Closed on Thursday?

Mumbai continues to reel under heavy rainfall, with several parts of the city facing waterlogging, delayed trains, flight disruptions, and traffic congestion. As parents and students await clarity, the big question remains - will schools and colleges in Mumbai remain closed on August 21 (Thursday)? Here's the latest update from the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC).

At present, the BMC has not issued any official notification regarding the closure of schools or junior colleges.

University of Mumbai Postpones Exams

The University of Mumbai had earlier that all examinations scheduled for August 20, 2025, have been postponed. This decision applies to both the Summer 2025 and Winter 2025 sessions. Authorities said the move was taken in the interest of student safety, as heavy rains have severely impacted public transport. Fresh exam dates will be notified soon.

Schools Shut in Nearby Cities, Awaiting BMC Decision for Mumbai

Meanwhile, several parts of Maharashtra, including Thane, Panvel, Navi Mumbai, and Lonavala, have declared holidays for all schools and colleges on Thursday, August 20. However, in Mumbai city, schools and colleges are expected to remain open on Friday, August 21, unless BMC issues fresh instructions. Civic officials clarified that no official holiday notification has been released for Mumbai yet.

IMD Rainfall Forecast for Mumbai

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a heavy rainfall alert for Mumbai for the next 24 hours. According to the weekly forecast, Mumbai will continue to witness intense showers till August 21, though rainfall is expected to persist into the weekend.

On Wednesday, heavy rain triggered severe waterlogging in areas like Dadar, Andheri, Chembur, and Matunga, leading to cancellation of several local train services.

Central Railway, Western Railway, and Harbour Line faced disruptions.

Flights from Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport were delayed due to poor visibility.

Road traffic saw long delays, with congestion worsened during high tide hours.

On Tuesday, high tides were recorded at 9:16 am (3.75 m) and 8:53 pm (3.14 m), while another tide occurred early Wednesday morning.

Red Alert Issued

The IMD has issued a red nowcast alert for Mumbai, Thane, Palghar, Raigad, and Ratnagiri districts. The warning includes heavy to very heavy rainfall, thunderstorms, and gusty winds reaching 40-60 kmph. Residents are advised to avoid non-essential travel and follow official updates from BMC and IMD.

For now, schools and colleges in the city remain scheduled to function on August 21. Officials are closely monitoring the situation, and any decision to declare a holiday is likely to come either late tonight or early tomorrow morning. Parents and students are advised to keep an eye on official BMC and IMD updates before making their travel and safety decisions.