Heavy rain has forced schools to shut across Chennai and three neighbouring districts on Wednesday, October 21, adding weather-related disruptions to an already varied school holiday calendar across India.

While students in parts of Tamil Nadu have been given a break due to rainfall, children in several other states are still on Dussehra and Durga Puja vacation schedules.

School holiday status on October 21 varies by state, with some institutions expected to reopen after the main festive break and others remaining closed. Haryana, West Bengal, Andhra Pradesh and Telangana are among the regions where extended holiday schedules may affect attendance.

Parents and students should note that reopening dates can differ between institutions, and weather-related closures must be confirmed through official announcements.

Chennai school holiday update

Schools in Chennai, Tiruvallur, Chengalpattu and Kancheepuram remained closed on Wednesday, October 21, following heavy rainfall in the region. Local media reports say the district administrations announced the closures in response to the prevailing weather conditions.

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecast further rainfall across Tamil Nadu and neighbouring areas over the coming days. However, any additional closure will depend on local conditions and official decisions.

School holiday today, October 21: State-wise updates

Here is the holiday status and expected reopening schedule across the states and regions mentioned in the available updates.

  1. Delhi: The main Dussehra holiday falls on October 20. Schools may reopen on October 21, depending on their individual calendars.
  2. Gurugram, Haryana: Schools are scheduled to remain closed for the extended Dussehra vacation from October 19 to 25.
  3. Noida and Ghaziabad, Uttar Pradesh: The main Dussehra holiday falls on October 20. Students should check with their respective schools to confirm whether classes resume on October 21.
  4. Maharashtra: Dussehra falls on October 20. The school schedule for October 21 depends on individual institutions.
  5. Rajasthan: The main Dussehra holiday falls on October 20. Reopening dates depend on each school's calendar.
  6. Punjab: Classes may resume on October 21, depending on each school's holiday schedule.
  7. West Bengal: Vijayadashami falls on October 21. Schools observing an extended Durga Puja vacation may remain closed.
  8. Andhra Pradesh: The Dasara vacation is scheduled to continue through October 21, with schools expected to reopen on October 22.
  9. Telangana: The Dasara break is scheduled to continue through October 22. Schools are expected to reopen on October 23.
  10. Karnataka: Holiday schedules vary between institutions. Students should confirm the reopening date with their schools.
  11. Bihar: School schedules depend on local holiday calendars and official notifications.
  12. Odisha: Students and parents should check school circulars for any holiday extensions and confirmed reopening dates.

Will schools close due to heavy rain on October 21?

The IMD has forecast heavy rainfall in parts of southern India, including Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh.

The weather outlook could affect school operations in areas experiencing difficult conditions, but a rainfall warning does not automatically result in a school holiday.

Any additional closure will depend on the severity of local weather conditions and decisions taken by the district administration or education department.

Parents should follow official weather alerts, district announcements and school communications for the latest information.

Students should not assume classes are suspended solely because heavy rain is forecast.

How to check whether your school is open

With holiday schedules differing across regions, parents and students should verify the status of their individual institutions before travelling to school.

The following steps can help:

Check official school notices: Consult the school's website or latest circular for the confirmed reopening date.

Monitor parent communication groups: Look for announcements shared through the school's authorised communication channels.

Follow district administration updates: This is particularly important in areas facing heavy rainfall or other weather-related disruptions.

Confirm festive vacation dates: Students in states observing extended Dussehra or Durga Puja breaks should check whether their vacation includes October 21.

Wait for official confirmation: Unless a closure order has been issued, do not assume that schools will remain shut.

As of Wednesday, October 21, Chennai and the neighbouring districts of Tiruvallur, Chengalpattu and Kancheepuram are reported to have school closures following heavy rain. Elsewhere, festive vacation calendars and institution-specific schedules will determine whether students return to classrooms or continue their break.