In response to the ongoing cold wave conditions, the district administration in Ganjam, Odisha, has announced a significant revision in school schedules to protect students from the harsh winter chill.
Revised School Timings for Student Safety
The District Education Officer (DEO) of Ganjam, Ajay Kumar Sahu, issued an official order on Thursday mandating new timings for all educational institutions. Starting Saturday, schools will operate from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM, shifting classes entirely to the daytime shift. This decision was taken after careful consideration of the prevailing cold conditions, particularly during the early morning hours.
"We have taken these measures for the safety of school students with extreme cold in the morning," stated Ganjam Collector Keerthi Vasan V., emphasizing the administration's primary concern for children's well-being. The order is applicable to a wide range of schools, including government, government-aided, elementary, and secondary schools across the district.
Cold Wave Grips the Region
While Ganjam has been experiencing minimum temperatures between 13 and 17 degrees Celsius in recent days, the cold wave has been more severe in neighbouring districts. The Kandhamal administration had already suspended morning school classes from November 15 as the district reeled under extreme cold. G. Udayagiri in Kandhamal recorded the state's lowest temperature of 4.3 degrees Celsius on Friday, highlighting the severity of the conditions.
Shelter for the Homeless in Berhampur
Parallel to the educational measures, the Berhampur Municipal Corporation (BeMC) has activated support systems for the city's vulnerable populations. The civic body has appealed to homeless individuals to utilize the 'Ashraya' shelter home located on New Bus Stand Road during the night.
"We are providing free accommodation in the shelter home at night," said Bikram Sundhi, BeMC Assistant Commissioner. The facility has a capacity to host at least 50 people. From December 1 to 18 alone, the shelter accommodated 224 individuals, including 27 women, demonstrating the critical need for such services during the winter season.
These coordinated actions by the Ganjam and Kandhamal administrations reflect a proactive approach to governance during extreme weather, prioritizing the health and safety of both students and the homeless. The situation is being closely monitored as winter progresses.
