Heavy rain alert in Thane and Palghar: Schools and colleges closed for safety – Times of India

NEW DELHI: In response to a severe heavy rain alert issued by the India Meteorological Department (IMD) for Thane and Palghar districts, authorities have taken precautionary measures to ensure the safety of citizens. As per the forecast, ‘heavy to very heavy’ rainfall is expected in several areas over the next 48 hours, prompting concerns about potential flooding and disruptions.
To safeguard students and staff, all schools and colleges in Thane and Palghar districts will remain closed for the next two days. The decision was announced by the respective district collectors to prevent any potential risks posed by the inclement weather.
In Palghar, where a red alert has been issued, the district collector, Govind Bodke, took the step to close schools on both Friday and Saturday. Meanwhile, in Thane, the district collector, Ashok Shingare, has urged residents to stay indoors during this period and has directed the civic and district machinery to be fully prepared to provide relief to citizens in case of emergencies.
The heavy rainfall has also prompted concerns for the safety of those in vulnerable areas. The Maharashtra Disaster Management Minister, Anil Patil, reported that rescue operations are underway, and so far, 98 out of 178 people have been rescued, while 12 have tragically lost their lives.
Apart from Thane and Palghar, the IMD has issued a ‘Red’ alert for heavy to very heavy rainfall in the districts of Raigad and Pune. An ‘Orange’ alert has also been sounded for Mumbai and Ratnagiri, signaling the possibility of significant rainfall in these regions.
In response to the ongoing downpours, the district administration in Palghar has instructed a 23-member National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) team to be on standby to tackle any emergency situations that may arise.
Additionally, villagers residing near coastal areas have been warned about the high tide and potential risks posed by the adverse weather conditions.
Authorities are closely monitoring the situation and working tirelessly to provide timely assistance to those in need. The safety of the residents remains the top priority as the region braces for the impact of heavy rains in the coming days.