Odisha sizzled under intense heat on Wednesday as Boudh, located in the western region of the state, recorded a maximum temperature of 42.7 degrees Celsius, prompting administrative authorities in five districts to extend the summer break for schools and anganwadi centres.
Educational institutions across Bolangir, Sonepur, Ganjam, Angul, and Sundargarh are now scheduled to remain shut until June 20, shifting the previous reopening date from June 18. Since June 21 falls on a Sunday, classes in these districts are set to resume on June 22, according to officials.
Meanwhile, a directive from the district education officer in Nuapada stated that schools will run morning shifts from 6:30 am to 11:30 am between June 18 and June 20 to prevent students from the peak afternoon heat.
To protect children from the early onset of severe weather, schools throughout the state have been remained closed since April 27, when the government initially enforced an early summer vacation due to spiking temperatures.
On Wednesday, Sambalpur recorded a high of 41.5 degrees Celsius, neighbouring Hirakud 41.4 degrees Celsius, Jharsuguda 40.8 degrees Celsius, Sonepur 40.1 degrees Celsius, and Titlagarh 40 degrees Celsius.
The India Meteorological Department’s Bhubaneswar Centre said heatwave conditions are expected to prevail till June 21.
