Bhubaneswar: The Khordha district administration has cancelled the leave of all government employees and ordered schools to remain closed for two days as a precautionary measure amid an impending flood situation.

In an order issued by the Office of the Collector and District Magistrate, Khordha (Emergency Section), all government officials have been directed to remain at their respective headquarters with immediate effect. They have also been barred from leaving their headquarters without the express permission of the competent authority.

The administration has cancelled all leave availed by government employees and instructed officials currently on leave to report back to duty immediately. The order further states that the leave of all government officials in the district stands cancelled for the next four days, including Thursday, in view of administrative exigencies and the prevailing flood-like situation.

Separately, the District Project Office of Samagra Shiksha, Odisha, issued detailed instructions to all Block Education Officers (BEOs) in Khordha to ensure preparedness for the anticipated flood situation.

According to the directive issued by District Education Officer-cum-District Project Coordinator (DPC) Sonamika Ray, all primary, upper primary, high schools and higher secondary schools, including government, government-aided, Odisha Adarsha Vidyalayas (OAVs) and private schools in Khordha district, will remain closed from 1 pm on July 30 until July 31.

Schools have been instructed to serve the Mid-Day Meal (MDM) early on July 30 so that students can leave by 1 pm. However, teachers and non-teaching staff have been directed to remain on duty, and no casual leave (CL) will be permitted for the next four days.

The education department has also directed school authorities to keep school buildings and infrastructure ready for emergency use if required. Headmasters and principals have been instructed to prepare round-the-clock roster duties to ensure schools remain operational on a 24x7 basis for any assistance required by the district administration during the flood emergency.

The directive warned that there would be zero tolerance for any lapse in responsibility, underscoring the need for full cooperation with the district administration as it prepares to tackle the potential flood situation.

The precautionary measures come as Odisha continues to grapple with rising river levels following days of heavy rainfall, prompting authorities to strengthen disaster preparedness across vulnerable districts.