Schools to stay closed for two days due to rain emergency

All the government and private schools in Azad Jammu and Kashmir will remain closed on August 15, 16, 2025, amid heavy rains in the area.

The official notification stated that the decision aims to ensure the safety of students and staff as rivers and drains across the region face dangerous water levels. Earlier, the Elementary and Secondary Education Department in Poonch had already declared schools closed for August 15 because of severe weather conditions. In Jhelum Valley, Assistant Commissioner Haveli Sarfraz Shad confirmed that all educational institutions, both public and private, will remain closed on August 15 due to bad weather and landslides blocking roads.

The announcement follows a series of devastating cloudbursts in different parts of AJK. In Muzaffarabad’s Naseerabad tehsil, a flash flood triggered by a cloudburst claimed the lives of six members of the same family. Bagh district has also been hit hard, with heavy rainfall causing rivers and streams to overflow. In Samahni, Bhimber Nullah is experiencing dangerously high flooding. The recent spell of torrential rains has caused widespread destruction, sweeping away bridges, cutting off road links, and damaging homes. Authorities are urging residents in low-lying and landslide-prone areas to remain alert and follow safety advisories.

Relief and rescue teams are working to assist affected communities, but officials warn that further rainfall could worsen the situation in the coming days.