The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has predicted heavy rainfall and thunderstorm activity in some parts of India on Saturday, August 22, as monsoon activity is still very strong in northern, central, eastern, and northeastern areas. In addition, these are likely to be in heavy to very heavy spells and lightning and strong winds in some places with the IMD warning.
The weather alert has also raised questions among students and parents as to whether schools will be shut down in Delhi-NCR, Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand. In spite of this, IMD weather warning does not always mean that all schools in the state will be closed at once. School closure decisions are made by the concerned state government, district administration, education department or school authorities depending on the local situation.
Heavy rain forecast in northern India
Delhi-NCR is likely to experience rain and thunderstorms and light showers in the morning, with some heavy showers in Delhi, Noida, Ghaziabad and Gurugram. Residents should be alert to the sudden change in weather, especially in the presence of heavy rainfall, thunderstorms and lightning.
Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand remain among the areas with particular attention because heavy rainfall in hilly terrain can increase the risk of landslides, flash floods, road disruptions and falling debris. The IMD's forecast indicates continued wet conditions in Uttarakhand over an extended period.
Jammu and Kashmir, Haryana, Chandigarh and Punjab are also expected to see rain activity, and there could be rain in some parts of Punjab and even very heavy rain in some parts of the country.
Central India also on alert
In central India, East Madhya Pradesh is expected to receive heavy to very heavy rainfall at some places, and West Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh may also have an active monsoon.
The eastern belt is likely to remain wet as well. In Bihar, Jharkhand, Odisha and Sub-Himalayan West Bengal, rainfall accompanied by thunderstorms, lightning and gusty winds may occur.
Odisha will see particularly wet weather over the next few days, and Bihar is likely to see heavy rainfall in parts of the state. The IMD's sub-division-wise warning system remains in place across the state and provides day-to-day alerts.
Northeast states to receive heavy showers
The northeastern region is also expected to remain under active monsoon conditions. Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Meghalaya, Nagaland, Manipur, Mizoram and Tripura could experience heavy rainfall.
Frequent rain in northeastern and Himalayan areas can affect road connectivity, particularly in locations prone to landslides and flooding. Commuters and travellers should be watching local information and advisories before embarking on their trip.
What about southern India?
The southern parts of the country are predicted to have more complex weather conditions. Coastal Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu and parts of Karnataka may experience thunderstorms, scattered rain and strong surface winds in some areas.
Although rainfall intensity can vary greatly among districts, residents should be cautious in thunderstorms and stay away from exposed areas when lightning occurs.
Will schools be closed on August 22?
This is one of the major questions parents and students have.
There is no nationwide order to close all schools on August 22 because of the IMD alert. The weather agency gives forecasts and warnings, and the decision to close schools is up to the relevant authorities.
For Delhi-NCR, the current information is that heavy rain is possible, but the IMD warning is not a school-closure order. Parents should check notifications from the district administration, education department or individual schools before assuming that classes have been cancelled.
The same applies to Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand. In vulnerable districts, authorities can announce localised closures if rainfall brings unpredictable travel conditions, landslide risks, flooding or waterlogging. Therefore, a school can remain closed in one district while institutions continue to operate in another.
What should parents and students do?
Instead of social media messages or unverified claims about school holidays, parents are advised to rely on official district-level notifications. Students travelling through areas affected by waterlogging, landslides or flooding should follow local administration and school safety instructions.
People in areas under heavy rainfall warnings should also avoid unnecessary travel during intense downpours, remain cautious around flooded roads and keep updated with the latest weather alerts.
While monsoon activity is expected to remain strong across several regions, weather conditions could change rapidly. Residents should check the latest weather situation before travelling or making plans and be aware that the IMD is constantly updating its forecasts and alerts.
Bottom line: Heavy rain is expected in several states on August 22, including parts of Delhi-NCR, Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand. However, there is no blanket nationwide school holiday. Any closure will depend on the decision taken by the local or district authorities and individual schools.
