Daijiworld Media Network – Mangaluru/Udupi

Mangaluru/Udupi, Jul 24: In view of the continuous heavy rainfall and the latest weather forecasts issued by the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD), the district administrations of Dakshina Kannada and Udupi have declared a holiday for specific educational institutions on Saturday, July 25.

In Dakshina Kannada, the deputy commissioner and district magistrate issued an official order declaring a holiday for all anganwadis, government, aided, and private primary and high schools, pre-university (PU) colleges (up to 12th standard), diploma institutions, and industrial training institutes (ITIs), including all residential schools and colleges. The deputy commissioner strictly warned that any violation of this order would invite legal action under the Disaster Management Act, 2005.

As a precautionary measure, the Dakshina Kannada district disaster management authority has advised parents to ensure that their children do not go near low-lying waterlogged areas, lakes, riverbanks, and beaches. Tourists and the general public have been warned against visiting riverbanks and coastal areas, while fishermen have been strictly instructed not to venture into the sea. The public can contact the toll-free helpline number 1077 or the control room at 0824-2442590 for any natural disaster-related emergencies.

Similarly, following an orange alert by the IMD, the Udupi district administration has also declared a holiday for all anganwadis, primary and high schools, PU colleges, diploma institutions, and ITIs. However, no holiday has been declared for degree, postgraduate, and engineering colleges.

The Udupi district administration has issued the following mandatory guidelines to college principals and managements:

• Student attendance should not be made compulsory.

• College authorities must ensure the safe arrival and departure of students to and from the campus.

• Students travelling via unsafe routes, such as crossing streams or rivulets, should be advised to remain at home.

• Dilapidated or structurally weak buildings should not be used for academic activities.

• Colleges may conduct compensatory classes on Saturday afternoons or Sundays for the academic time lost.

• The safety of vehicles transporting students must be thoroughly ensured.

• Colleges have been directed to create awareness among students regarding safety measures during natural disasters.

Both district administrations have appealed to educational institutions, parents, and students to strictly adhere to these precautionary guidelines in the interest of public safety amid the prevailing adverse weather conditions.