Deluge forces shools to close

SURAT: Several schools in the city remained closed on Tuesday due to fear of waterlogging in low-lying areas.
Majority of the schools in the city's posh Athwalines and Piplod areas remained closed after reports that water was being released from Ukai dam in large volume due to heavy rains.
Several parents also made frantic calls to schools inquiring about the status of working.
"The schools were asked to declare a holiday considering the situation. No common instructions were given across the district to avoid panic," said U N Rathod, district education officer, Surat.
Interestingly, many schools located in the low-lying areas were working and many recorded full strength in classes.
Schools in Rander area remained closed while majority of the schools in Adajan, Amroli, Kosad, Katargam, Varachha and Udhna were working.
Sarvajanik Eduation Society declared holiday in all its schools in Athwalines and Walled City area.
Many parents were seen complaining that they did not receive any intimation about the holiday. "They should inform parents about holiday in advance because bringing children to school in rains in difficult," said a parent outside a school in Athwalines.
Water level in Tapi is likely to remain high for couple of days but majority of the city schools are considering to operate normally from Wednesday. "Since the water level are likely to remain high in Tapi all the school principals have been given standing instructions to take a decision," added Rathod.