Odisha’s battle against blistering heat has led to an early closure of schools, with Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi greenlighting summer vacations from April 27. As the mercury climbs relentlessly, this measure aims to protect young students from the dangers of prolonged exposure to extreme temperatures.
All government, government-aided, and private schools will observe the break, following approval of the education department’s urgent request. Pre-planned exams and essential government tasks, including census operations, remain unaffected.
The IMD forecasts sustained high temperatures over the coming days, with a marginal dip expected later. Heatwave yellow alerts blanket key districts like Bolangir, Jharsuguda, Sambalpur, Keonjhar, and Khurda, signaling heightened risks.
Thursday saw 24 towns bake under over 40°C, led by Jharsuguda and Talcher at a sweltering 44°C. Friday’s early readings confirmed the trend, with Jharsuguda surpassing 40°C before noon. Public movement has dwindled during daylight hours, with people confining themselves indoors.
Heatstroke incidents are on the rise, prompting preemptive school closures by local administrators. In a parallel effort, census teams are now barred from outdoor work during the hottest hours of 11 AM to 3 PM.
This swift governmental action highlights the severity of the crisis, as Odisha grapples with one of its hottest spells in recent memory. Health officials recommend ample water intake, light clothing, and limiting outdoor activities to mitigate risks.
