The Jammu and Kashmir Government has extended school holidays across the Kashmir Division and the Winter Zones of Jammu Division till July 26, 2026, following the India Meteorological Department (IMD) forecast of widespread rainfall across the region.

The decision has been taken as a precautionary measure to ensure the safety of students, teachers, and school staff as the southwest monsoon intensifies over northern India.
The schools, which were initially scheduled to reopen on July 20 after the summer vacation, will now remain closed for another week. Educational institutions are expected to resume regular classes from Monday, July 27, 2026, subject to weather conditions.
The announcement was made by Education Minister Sakina Ittoo, who stated that the extension was necessary to safeguard students and educational staff from adverse weather conditions.
Sharing the update on social media platform X, the minister said that the government has decided to extend the summer vacation for all government and recognized private schools in the Kashmir Division and Winter Zones of Jammu Division until July 26, 2026. She added that schools are expected to reopen on July 27, provided weather conditions remain favourable.
The extension comes as the region transitions from an intense heatwave to heavy monsoon rainfall, prompting authorities to take preventive measures.
According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), fairly widespread to widespread rainfall is expected over Jammu, Kashmir, Ladakh, Gilgit, Baltistan, and Muzaffarabad between July 22 and July 24, 2026.
The weather department has warned of:
Residents have been advised to remain cautious and follow official weather advisories.
Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand Also on Alert
Neighbouring states Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand are also under close watch as the IMD has forecast widespread rainfall across both states during the same period.
Continuous rain may lead to:
Local administrations have been instructed to remain prepared and monitor the situation closely.
Authorities have advised students and parents to:
Parents are encouraged to prioritize safety and avoid unnecessary travel during periods of heavy rainfall.
Conclusion
The extension of school holidays in Jammu and Kashmir until July 26, 2026, reflects the government's proactive approach to student safety amid the IMD's heavy rainfall forecast. With widespread rain expected across Jammu & Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, and Uttarakhand, authorities are closely monitoring the weather situation. Schools are currently scheduled to reopen on July 27, subject to further review based on prevailing weather conditions.




