After 20-Day Weather Break, Kashmir Schools Reopen as Students Return to Classrooms

After a 20-day closure caused first by an intense heatwave and later by relentless rain, schools across Kashmir reopened on Monday, bringing relief to thousands of students, parents and teachers eager for a return to normalcy.

School campuses came alive early in the morning as students dressed in their uniforms walked through the gates with school bags in hand, marking the end of an unusually long weather-related break. The reopening restored the familiar buzz of classrooms after weeks of uncertainty caused by extreme weather conditions.

The Valley's educational institutions were initially shut on July 6 as Kashmir experienced an unprecedented spell of summer heat, with temperatures soaring well above normal. Authorities had announced a 13-day vacation to protect students from the severe heatwave.

However, just as temperatures began to ease, the weather took a dramatic turn. Heavy rainfall swept across the Valley around July 18, ending the heatwave but creating fresh challenges. Continuous downpours triggered flood-like conditions in several areas, prompting the administration to extend the school holidays until July 26 to ensure the safety of students and staff.

With weather conditions improving and the situation stabilising, schools resumed academic activities on Monday. Teachers welcomed students back as classes restarted after nearly three weeks, while many children expressed excitement at reuniting with their classmates.

The reopening marks a significant step towards restoring routine life in Kashmir after an extended period of weather-related disruptions. Authorities are expected to continue monitoring weather conditions closely while ensuring that academic schedules return to normal in the coming weeks.