New Delhi, Sept 2 (Tuesday): September has opened with torrential rains across half of India, forcing state administrations to announce school closures, work-from-home advisories, and flood alerts. From Delhi-NCR to Punjab, Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh, and Uttar Pradesh, heavy rainfall has triggered traffic chaos, waterlogging, cloudbursts, and swollen rivers.
Delhi-NCR Drenched: Schools Closed, Traffic at a Standstill
The national capital and its adjoining cities Noida, Ghaziabad, and Gurugram witnessed incessant downpours on Monday that continued late into the night.
Long 5 km traffic jams in Gurugram left commuters stranded for hours.
Schools across Gurugram have been ordered shut today, with the administration advising online classes and work from home for office staff.
In Delhi, multiple areas such as Dwarka, Lajpat Nagar, and Mayur Vihar reported severe waterlogging, affecting thousands of residents.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has sounded an orange alert for Delhi-NCR, warning of heavy rainfall today as well.
Uttarakhand & Himachal Pradesh: Flood Fear, Schools Shut
In the hill states, rains have turned deadly. Cloudburst incidents have been reported in parts of Chamoli, Rudraprayag, and Pauri Garhwal in Uttarakhand.
The Chamoli administration has declared a holiday in all schools and Anganwadi centers today.
Similar alerts have been issued in Tehri and Almora, where landslides have blocked several highways.
In Himachal Pradesh, incessant rains have swollen rivers and triggered flash floods, prompting precautionary school closures in vulnerable districts.
Authorities have urged locals and tourists to avoid trekking routes and riverbanks for the next 72 hours.
Punjab Orders School Closure Till September 3
The Bhagwant Mann government in Punjab has ordered all schools to remain shut till September 3, 2025.
The state has been reeling under continuous heavy rainfall for the past several days. Amritsar, Ludhiana, Patiala, and Jalandhar are among the worst-affected cities, with overflowing drains and waterlogged markets.
“The safety of children comes first. Until the weather stabilizes, schools will remain closed,” the government said in an advisory.
Uttar Pradesh: Orange Alert in Over 20 Districts
The impact of rain is most visible in Uttar Pradesh, where schools have been ordered shut in multiple districts today.
Holiday declared in schools of Meerut, Bareilly, Moradabad, Rae Bareli, and Aligarh.
Orange alert has been issued in Pratapgarh, Sonbhadra, Mirzapur, Bhadohi, Jaunpur, Hardoi, Farrukhabad, Kannauj, Kanpur Dehat, Baghpat, Mathura, Hathras, Kasganj, Etah, Mainpuri, Etawah, Auraiya, Amroha, Sambhal, and Badaun.
The state disaster management team has been put on standby, and flood rescue boats are being moved to low-lying areas.
Jammu & Kashmir: Cloudbursts Worsen Situation
In Jammu and Kashmir, heavy rains have persisted for nearly a week. Flash floods and cloudbursts in several districts have left villages cut off.
The government has ordered schools to remain closed on September 2, especially in vulnerable areas of Rajouri, Poonch, Anantnag, and Pulwama. Relief camps have been set up in flood-affected areas.
Commuter Nightmare: Work From Home in Gurugram
On Monday evening, Gurugram witnessed 5 km long traffic jams on NH-48 and Sohna Road due to massive waterlogging.
The administration issued an advisory urging:
Work from home for private offices.
Online schooling for children.
Avoiding unnecessary travel until water recedes.
Many residents shared visuals on social media of submerged underpasses and stranded vehicles, highlighting the urban flood crisis.
IMD Forecast: Rains to Continue Till September 3
According to the IMD, the current spell of rainfall is due to a low-pressure system active over North India, likely to persist for the next 48 hours.
Orange alert: Delhi-NCR, Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Punjab, Himachal Pradesh.
Yellow alert: Parts of Rajasthan, Haryana, and Madhya Pradesh.
Red alert: Jammu & Kashmir and higher reaches of Uttarakhand due to cloudburst and flash flood risk.
What Citizens Should Do
Authorities have issued a safety advisory for residents:
✔️ Avoid waterlogged roads and underpasses.
✔️ Keep emergency kits, food, and drinking water handy.
✔️ Parents must ensure children stay indoors.
✔️ Offices should opt for remote work until weather improves.
Conclusion: September Begins With Rain Chaos
With schools shut, traffic paralyzed, and flood alerts in place, September has begun on a turbulent note for North India. The IMD has warned that heavy rainfall may continue until September 3, 2025, with the possibility of flash floods and landslides in hilly areas.
Authorities across Delhi-NCR, Punjab, UP, Uttarakhand, Himachal, and J&K remain on high alert as millions brace for more rainfall.
