All educational institutions across Jammu and Kashmir will remain closed on Thursday (28 August) due to heavy rains and worsening flood-like conditions, education minister Sakina Itoo announced on Wednesday.

“Schools and colleges across Jammu & Kashmir will remain closed tomorrow in view of inclement weather,” the minister posted on X.

While schools in Jammu have already been shut since Monday, authorities had ordered the closure of institutions in six Kashmir districts — Anantnag, Kulgam, Pulwama, Shopian, Budgam and Srinagar — on Wednesday as a precautionary measure.

The University of Kashmir has also postponed all examinations scheduled for Thursday, stating that revised dates will be announced separately.

Continuous rainfall has pushed the water level in the Jhelum river and other streams above the flood declaration mark in Kashmir, while rivers in the Jammu region have risen above the danger level. Thousands of residents have been evacuated from low-lying areas as torrential rains lashed the region for the fourth consecutive day.

The Meteorological Department has forecast intermittent light to moderate rain in parts of Jammu, South Kashmir and Central Kashmir through Thursday and Friday, with occasional spells of thunder and heavy showers.

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