LAHORE: The Punjab government is considering extending summer vacations for schools located in flood-affected areas as persistent monsoon rains continue to disrupt normal life across the province.
The proposal aims to ensure the safety of students, teachers, and school staff amid ongoing flood risks and adverse weather conditions.
The recommendation was put forward by the Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA), which advised the Punjab School Education Department not to reopen schools in districts severely affected by flooding. According to officials, the proposal is currently under review, and a final decision will be made after assessing the latest weather forecasts and flood situation.
If approved, schools in the affected regions may remain closed beyond the current summer vacation schedule, with reopening potentially delayed until September 1, 2026. Authorities believe that keeping schools closed in vulnerable areas will help protect students and educational staff from flood-related dangers.
The PDMA has stressed that educational institutions in flood-hit districts should remain closed until floodwaters recede and conditions become safe. At the same time, the Punjab government has directed the Communications and Works Department to inspect schools and other public buildings damaged by heavy rainfall.
Officials have been instructed to identify buildings that have become structurally unsafe or unfit for use before students return. The inspections will help determine whether repairs or reconstruction are required to ensure a safe learning environment.
According to the PDMA, the fourth spell of the monsoon season is expected to continue until August 5, 2026. Heavy rainfall may trigger urban flooding, overflowing rivers, and landslides, particularly in vulnerable districts. Weather forecasts indicate further rain in Lahore, Rawalpindi, Faisalabad, Gujranwala, Sialkot, Murree, Sheikhupura, Nankana Sahib, Kasur, Jhang, Toba Tek Singh, Chiniot, and Sargodha.
The disaster management authority has placed local administrations on high alert, warning that low-lying urban areas remain at risk of flooding. Hilly regions, including Murree and Gillyat, are also expected to face an increased threat of landslides due to continuous rainfall.
Parents, students, and school administrations are now awaiting the Punjab government's final announcement regarding the possible extension of summer vacations. The decision is expected to prioritise public safety while ensuring educational activities resume only when weather conditions improve and school buildings are declared safe for use.
