Mayurbhanj, Sept. 26 (UDN): Schools across seven blocks of Odisha’s Mayurbhanj district will remain closed today as authorities take precautionary measures in view of the forecast for heavy to very heavy rainfall.

According to an order issued by the Mayurbhanj District Education Officer (DEO), all government, government-aided and private schools from Class I to XII in Thakurmunda, Kaptipada, Udala, Gopabandhunagar, Khunta, Barasahi and Betnoti blocks will remain shut.

The decision follows a weather warning issued by the India Meteorological Department (IMD), which has forecast significant rainfall across several parts of Odisha on September 26.

The IMD has issued an orange warning for heavy to very heavy rainfall at one or two places in Sundargarh, Jharsuguda, Bargarh, Sambalpur, Keonjhar, Mayurbhanj, Nuapada and Nabarangpur districts.

A yellow warning has also been issued for Balasore, Bhadrak, Jajpur, Kendrapara, Jagatsinghpur, Cuttack, Deogarh, Angul, Dhenkanal, Subarnapur, Balangir, Kalahandi, Rayagada, Koraput and Malkangiri.

Meanwhile, the IMD’s Regional Centre said the depression over South Odisha and adjoining South Chhattisgarh is likely to move north-northwestwards while maintaining its intensity for the next 12 hours. The system is then expected to weaken into a well-marked low-pressure area over the subsequent 12 hours.

The closure has been ordered as a precautionary measure to ensure the safety of students and school staff amid the adverse weather conditions. Authorities are continuing to monitor the situation and may issue further instructions depending on rainfall and local conditions.