In response to the India Meteorological Department’s (IMD) forecast of heavy to extremely heavy rainfall, authorities have ordered the closure of schools in five districts of Jharkhand, including the state capital Ranchi, for Friday, June 20.
According to officials, all schools in Ranchi, Khunti, and West Singhbhum—from Kindergarten (KG) to Class 12—will remain shut. In East Singhbhum and Saraikela-Kharswan, classes up to Class 8 will be suspended as a precautionary measure.
The decision follows days of continuous rainfall across the state and is aimed at ensuring student safety, said district administrations. Schools in Ranchi and Khunti were also closed on Thursday due to the downpour.
Red Alert for Ranchi, Multiple Deaths and Damage Reported Across Jharkhand
The IMD issued a ‘red’ alert for Ranchi district from 8:30 am Thursday to 8:30 am Friday, warning of heavy to extremely heavy rainfall. Acting on the alert, Ranchi Deputy Commissioner Manjunath Bhajantri extended school closures for another day.
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“In view of the possibility of heavy rainfall and for the safety of students, Ranchi Deputy Commissioner Manjunath Bhajantri has issued an order to keep all categories of schools in the district, from class KG to Class 12, closed on June 20,” the official notification read.
The order also stated that non-compliance by schools will lead to action under relevant provisions of the Disaster Management Act, 2005.
Ranchi recorded 216.1 mm of rainfall between 8:30 am Wednesday and 5:30 am Thursday, triggering flash floods, waterlogging, and damage to infrastructure. Across the state, four deaths were reported due to the rains, including two schoolboys and a 10-year-old girl, officials confirmed.
The southwest monsoon, which entered Jharkhand on Tuesday, covered the entire state by Wednesday and is expected to bring widespread rainfall till June 20.
