Punjab shuts all colleges, universities till September 3 as flood situation worsens

Credit: @Tractor2twitr_P (X)

Punjab Education Minister Harjot Singh Bains on Monday announced that colleges, universities, and polytechnic institutes across the state will remain shut until September 3 as the state continues to reel under the impact of heavy rains and floods.

This decision comes after the government had already extended the closure of government and private schools till the same date.

“Due to continuous heavy rainfall across Punjab since last night, all colleges, universities, and polytechnic institutes will also remain closed till 3rd September 2025 with immediate effect. The responsibility for the well-being of students residing in hostels lies with the respective administrations. Everyone is requested to strictly follow the guidelines issued by local authorities,” Bains said in a post on X.

At present, at least 10 districts in Punjab are struggling with floods. These include Gurdaspur, Pathankot, Amritsar, Hoshiarpur, Ferozepur, Fazilka, Kapurthala, and Tarn Taran, among others.

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has further predicted heavy to very heavy rainfall across Punjab between September 1 and 3.

The minister also took a strict stand against private schools that were allegedly calling teachers to campuses despite the official holiday order. “The Punjab government has declared school holidays keeping in mind the safety of students and teachers in the wake of the floods. Despite the holidays, complaints are being received from various places that some private schools are calling their teachers to schools at their own discretion,” he said.

“In this regard, clear directions have been issued to the officials. Now, if any such complaint is received in any district, appropriate action will be taken by the concerned district administration,” he added.

Punjab’s schools have already been closed since August 27 because of the heavy rainfall and rising floodwaters. In Gurdaspur’s Daburi, the campus of Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalaya was flooded, and more than 400 people, including students and staff, were rescued on August 27.

Due to continuous heavy rainfall across Punjab since last night, all colleges, universities, and polytechnic institutes will also remain closed till 3rd September 2025 with immediate effect.

The responsibility for the well-being of students residing in hostels lies with the… — Harjot Singh Bains (@harjotbains) September 1, 2025