Bhavnagar: With heavy, incessant rains and further predictions of very heavy rainfall, a holiday has been declared in schools across Bhavnagar district on Wednesday, June 18.

Announcing the decision, District Collector Dr. Manish Bansal said, “Given the extensive rainfall in Bhavnagar district, a holiday is being declared in all schools from pre-primary to Class 12 on June 18. Also, if any school is running today, they have been ordered to send students home. The decision applies to private, grant-in-aid, and government schools.”

Meanwhile, the Shetrunji Dam in Bhavnagar district reached its rule level today, June 17, 2025, at 1 pm, and water release has been initiated. All 59 gates of the dam have been opened by 2 feet each to facilitate the outflow of water. In view of this, the affected villages in Palitana and Talaja talukas have been put on alert.

These villages include Nani Rajasthali, Lakhavad, Maydhar, Lapaaliya, and Medha in Palitana, and Pingli, Shevaliya, Bhegaali, Datred, Timana, Makhaniya, Royal, Talaja, Gorakhi, Lilivav, Tarasara, and Sartanpar in Talaja.

It is noteworthy that Bhavnagar received around 288 mm (11.33 inches) of rainfall in the 24 hours ending at 6 am today, and has recorded an additional 4.61 inches of rain since then. DeshGujarat