As Hyderabad faces yet another about of relentless heavy rainfall, the District Collector has announced the closure of all schools across the city on September 2, 2024. This precautionary measure underscores the increasing challenges posed by climate change, which disrupts daily life and education.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) issued a red alert for Telangana, predicting heavy rainfall over the next 48 hours. The city has already been hit hard, with significant rain causing widespread waterlogging, traffic disruptions, and severe strain on the city’s infrastructure. The intensity of the floods has prompted the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) to prepare for potential rescue and relief operations across Telangana and neighbouring Andhra Pradesh.
According to News18 reports, this is not an isolated incident. Around the world, climate change is increasingly impacting education systems. Extreme weather events such as floods, hurricanes, and wildfires have become more frequent and intense, leading to school closures, disruptions in academic schedules, and long-term damage to educational infrastructure. In 2023, for instance, the floods in Pakistan affected more than 20,000 schools, leaving millions of children without access to education for extended periods. Similarly, recent wildfires in Australia and California have forced schools to be closed for weeks as authorities grapple with the dual priorities of safety and education.
In Hyderabad, the current flooding highlights the vulnerabilities of urban areas to extreme weather events. The city’s drainage systems, designed for much less intense rainfall, are overwhelmed, leading to flash floods that make commuting hazardous and damage school facilities. As climate change accelerates, such incidents will likely become more frequent, forcing schools and governments to rethink their preparedness and response strategies.
In response to the severe weather, IT and IT service companies in Hyderabad have been advised to allow employees to work from home, minimising the risks associated with commuting during such hazardous conditions. The proactive approach of using technology to maintain business continuity is a model that schools might increasingly adopt. Virtual classrooms, already popularised during the COVID-19 pandemic, could become a more permanent feature of education systems, ensuring learning continues even when physical classrooms are inaccessible.
However, the shift to online education is not without its challenges. It requires robust digital infrastructure, access to devices, and reliable internet connectivity—unevenly distributed resources, especially in rural or economically disadvantaged areas. The ongoing situation in Hyderabad emphasises the need for governments and educational institutions to invest in physical and digital infrastructure to ensure that education remains resilient in the face of climate change.
As the effects of climate change continue to manifest in more frequent and severe weather events, the impact on education cannot be ignored. Governments, educators, and communities must collaborate to develop adaptive strategies that safeguard students’ right to education, even in natural disasters. This includes investing in climate-resilient infrastructure, enhancing early warning systems, and expanding access to digital learning platforms.
The flooding in Hyderabad is a stark reminder that climate change is not a distant threat but a present reality, affecting every aspect of life, including education. Action must be taken to mitigate these impacts and ensure that future generations are equipped to face the challenges ahead.
