India Heatwave: Odisha Govt Prepones Summer Vacations, Schools To Close From April 21

Amidst intensive heatwave alert, the Odisha government has said that all schools in Odisha will be closed from April 21, bringing the summer vacations earlier this year.

Summer Vacations In Odisha Schools Begin Early This Year (Representational Image)

Source : Getty

In the wake of the intensifying heatwave in several parts of the country including the coastal state of Odisha, the Odisha government has preponed summer vacations in all schools across the state, and for all classes. The state government released an official order announcing the early arrival of summer vacations in schools. All government, private, and aided schools across the state will close from April 21 for summer vacations 2023. Notably, schools in Odisha were also asked to close following the intensifying heat in the state.  

"In view of the severe summer, Hon'ble Chief Minister Shri Naveen Patnaik has ordered the summer vacation (dry vacation) of all public and private schools of the state from 1st to 12th standard to start from April 21 this year," reads the official order. As per the earlier schedule, summer vacations in Odisha schools were supposed to begin from the first week of May. With the early announcement, summer vacations in Odisha schools see postponement of at least two weeks. 

As per reports, mercury levels in Odisha have crossed over 40 degrees in several parts of Odisha. The IMD (Indian Meteorological Department) has also issued a heatwave alert in several parts of the state. “We have issued heatwave warnings in six districts – Mayurbhanj, Keonjhar, Sundargarh, Sambalpur, Sonepur and Boudh. Some districts may witness lightning and thunderstorm activities on April 21, 22 and 23,” IMD scientist Umashankar Das was reported as saying by Hindustan Times. 

Notably, with the onslaught of scorching summer amid heatwave alerts in various parts of the country, several states have geared up to prevent school-going children from the heatwave and heatstrokes. Earlier this month, the Delhi government released a detailed set of guidelines for Delhi Schools to follow. Similarly, the district administration in Bihar’s capital city Patna has asked city schools to revise their timings. The West Bengal government has also preponed summer vacations for schools in the state by three weeks this year.