Heatwave in India: Odisha School Hours Adjusted
The Odisha government has altered the school hours for students from class 1 to 12 due to the ongoing heatwave, effective immediately.
Updated School Schedule in Odisha
The School and Mass Education department of Odisha announced that the new school hours for classes 1 to 12 will be from 6:30 AM to 10:30 AM.
Ongoing Exams and Summer Break
Odisha Disaster Management Minister Suresh Pujari informed that the current school examinations will conclude on March 27, and classes will resume on April 2.
Anganwadi Centres Timetable
Anganwadi centres will operate from 7 AM to 9 AM during the summer season, as per the minister.
Heatwave Situation in Odisha
Several regions in Odisha, including Boudh, Sambalpur, Jharsuguda, Bargarh, Bolangir, and Sundargarh, are already experiencing heatwave conditions.
Heatwave Alerts Across India
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) issued heatwave warnings and alerts for various districts in Odisha, Chhattisgarh, Karnataka, Delhi, Maharashtra, and Goa on March 16, Sunday.
- Temperatures in seven districts of Jharkhand rose above 40 degree Celsius.
- Karnataka’s health minister Dinesh Gundu Rao advised people to stay indoors between 12 PM and 3 PM.
Odisha Schools to Limit Outdoor Activities
The Odisha government has directed schools in the state to limit outdoor activities due to the heatwave. Schools must keep sufficient ORS packets and provide them to students and staff when needed, according to the Education Department’s latest release.
Understanding Heatwaves
According to the Met Department, a heatwave is declared when the “maximum temperature of a station reaches at least 40 degree C or more for plains and at least 30 degree C or more for hilly regions.”
Heatwaves and Sunstroke
In severe cases, heatwaves can cause sunstrokes, leading to deaths. Over the past 10 years, more than 330 people have died due to sunstroke. Odisha’s Disaster Management Minister has asked officers to take steps to prevent sunstroke deaths.
