CHANDIGARH, Sept 10— Close to 2,200 schools in Punjab have been affected by recent floods, according to a preliminary survey by the state Education Department. The damage ranges from inundation to structural risks, and officials said it may take time to determine how many institutions are completely damaged or require strengthening.
A senior government functionary said although water levels were receding, several schools remained submerged. “It might take a while to resume classes in some of the schools in worst-affected parts of Kapurthala, Ferozepur and Amritsar due to the Beas, Sutlej and Ravi rivers,” the official noted.
As a precaution, about 300 schools in Patiala, Kapurthala, Ludhiana, Ferozepur, Amritsar, Hoshiarpur and Gurdaspur districts have been closed for the next two days.
Education Minister Harjot Bains has directed District Education Officers to ensure the safety of students and report any structural damage to Deputy Commissioners and the Public Works Department. Teachers resumed duties on September 8, and the department is now seeking daily reports from all districts on the status of schools.
Authorities added that full restoration may take weeks, particularly in low-lying areas along the state’s major rivers.
