Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi on Friday announced an early summer vacation for all schools across the state due to the prevailing heatwave conditions. As per the official order, all government, government-aided, and private schools will remain closed from April 27. However, pre-scheduled examinations, census work, and other official tasks will continue as planned.
Decision Based on Student Safety
The Chief Minister approved the proposal from the School and Mass Education Department. In a post on X, the state's Information and Public Relations Department stated, "Chief Minister Shri Mohan Charan Majhi has announced an early summer vacation keeping in view the severe heatwave currently sweeping through the state. Keeping the safety of children in mind, the Chief Minister has taken this decision." The post further clarified that previously scheduled examinations and office tasks will proceed unaffected.
Heatwave Impact Across India
The heatwave has not only affected Odisha but also several other parts of the country. In a tragic incident, a 37-year-old man named Sunil Kumar from Pallippoyil in Kannur died due to sunstroke on Thursday. He collapsed while digging a well at his home on Wednesday and was rushed to a hospital, but succumbed early Thursday morning.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued heatwave warnings for multiple regions, with temperatures ranging between 40°C and 45°C in many states including Odisha, Telangana, Madhya Pradesh, and Uttar Pradesh. According to IMD, maximum temperatures between 40°C and 45°C were recorded over most parts of Vidarbha, many areas of Marathwada and Madhya Pradesh, and several places in Chhattisgarh, Telangana, and Uttar Pradesh. Isolated places in interior Odisha, Rayalaseema, Jharkhand, Rajasthan, and Gujarat also experienced similar conditions.
Regional Temperature Variations
While most of the country recorded temperatures in the 36°C-40°C range, parts of the western Himalayan region and Northeast India saw readings below 36°C. The IMD noted that maximum temperatures were markedly above normal in parts of Himachal Pradesh, Bihar, Uttarakhand, and Chhattisgarh. They were appreciably above normal in several parts of Jharkhand, East Uttar Pradesh, Delhi-NCR, Punjab, Jammu and Kashmir, Madhya Pradesh, and Kerala. Above-normal temperatures were also recorded in parts of Rajasthan, Maharashtra, and Karnataka, while near-normal conditions prevailed over Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Gujarat, coastal Karnataka, and Lakshadweep.
The early closure of schools in Odisha is a precautionary measure to protect children from the extreme heat, as the IMD continues to monitor the heatwave situation across the country.
