Odisha Govt Likely to Declare School Vacation Amid Heatwave

Bhubaneswar: With mercury levels surging across Odisha, the State Government is expected to announce summer vacations for schools within the next two days. Revenue and Disaster Management Minister Suresh Pujari on Monday confirmed that a proposal recommending closure of schools until May 6 has been submitted to Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi.

“The Chief Minister is expected to take a decision within a day or two,” said Pujari. He also indicated that if the heatwave intensifies further, Anganwadi centres may also be closed as a precautionary measure. “As part of our contingency plan, dry food will be delivered to the homes of children,” the minister added.

In response to the ongoing heatwave, the Revenue and Disaster Management Department has already authorised district collectors to take appropriate decisions regarding school closures based on local conditions. Currently, schools across the state are functioning in morning shifts to shield students from the peak afternoon heat.

According to the Regional Meteorological Centre in Bhubaneswar, Jharsuguda recorded the highest temperature in the state on Monday, touching 45.4 degrees Celsius by 1 PM.

An orange warning has been issued for several districts, forecasting a severe heatwave at one or two places in Jharsuguda district until April 24. Heatwave conditions are also likely to affect Boudh, Bolangir, Sundargarh, and Sambalpur districts during the same period.

The intense heat is expected to persist in Bargarh, Kalahandi, and Sonepur districts from the morning of April 23 to the morning of April 24.