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Chief Education Officer has ordered four-day shutdown of 10 schools in Chamoli’s Narayanbagad after mounting attacks by stray and aggressive dogs; online classes to continue.
Chamoli Dog Menace: Officials cited the escalating threat to students commuting to and from school as the primary reason. (Representational Image)
Ten schools in Uttarakhand’s Narayanbagad area in Chamoli district have been shut from Thursday, August 20, following a surge in attacks by stray and aggressive dogs. The closure, ordered by Chief Education Officer Chamoli Akash Saraswat, will remain in effect till August 23, with classes moving online in the interim.
The order comes amid growing concern over the safety of schoolchildren, many of whom travel on foot through areas increasingly patrolled by aggressive strays. According to the directive, the decision follows instructions from the District Magistrate, Chamoli, acting on a letter sent by the Zila Panchayat chief of Narayanbagad, who had flagged the worsening dog menace in the region.
This is happening for the second time in the history of India, when 10 schools of Uttarakhand state will remain closed for the next 4 days due to fear of predatory dogs. The matter is of Chamoli district. Earlier, due to dogs in Rajouri, J&K, schools of 8 gram panchayats had to be closed for a day and for the safety of the people… pic.twitter.com/K6KJdSlKhe
— Sachin Gupta (@Sachinupta) August 19, 2026
Why Were The Schools Shut?
Officials cited the escalating threat to students commuting to and from school as the primary reason. With reports of repeated dog attacks in the Narayanbagad belt, the local administration moved to suspend in-person classes rather than risk children’s safety during their daily commute.
Which Schools Are Affected?
The order applies to 10 schools across the Narayanbagad region. All physical classes at these institutions will remain suspended through August 23, 2026, after which the situation will reportedly be reviewed.
Will Students’ Studies Be Affected?
To ensure learning isn’t disrupted, the education department has arranged for online classes through the closure period. Officials said the shift to remote teaching is meant to keep academic continuity intact even as in-person attendance is paused.
What Happens Next?
The Chief Education Officer’s order does not specify what will follow after August 23.
Key Questions Answered
Ask News18The closure of schools in Uttarakhand due to dog attacks is not the first instance of schools being shut down for safety reasons in India; schools in Jammu and Kashmir were previously closed due to dog attacks, and schools in Nainital, Uttarakhand, were closed due to attacks by wild animals.
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The News Desk is a team of passionate editors and writers who break and analyse the most important events unfolding in India and abroad. From live updates to exclusive reports to in-depth explainers, …Read More
Dehradun, India, India
August 20, 2026, 08:13 IST
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