Heatwave becomes fatal; Schools & colleges closed in many states amidst the rise in temperature
The IMD has issued warnings of heatwaves in parts of the country, following which measures are taken by administrations. Read the article to know the details.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued warnings to several states in the country which include parts of the Northeastern region, West Bengal, Bihar, Odisha, Maharashtra, Delhi-NCR, and some other states which are currently experiencing heatwave conditions. As per the report of the IMD, these conditions are likely to remain same for the next few days.
A study at the University of Cambridge shows that more than 90 percent of India’s total area is marked as a danger zone for the possibility of being affected by the heatwave which is due to the result of climate change conditions.
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Measures by the West Bengal government
Amidst the unbearable heat and warnings by IMD, which are expected to continue till the end of April, Chief Minister of West Bengal Mamata Banerjee declared that all educational institutions in West Bengal such as schools and colleges except those in Darjeeling and Kalimpong districts in the hilly region were to remain closed for a week-long period starting from 17th April owing to the intense Heatwave in the state.
The West Bengal government also earlier on 13th April released a notice about starting the summer vacation a bit early, that is from 2nd May, which was scheduled to start on 24th May.
The state recently recorded a series of highest temperatures from the last 10-12 days. According to the Meteorological department, the highest temperature in Kolkata was 39.2 degree Celsius, which is 3 degrees higher than normal, and with a minimum temperature of 29.6 degrees Celsius which is 3 degrees above normal.
To read the official notice by the West Bengal Board of Secondary Education (WBBSE), click here.
Measure by Bihar and Delhi government
On the 14th of April, the district administration of Bihar’s capital city Patna asked school administrations in the city to revise school timings amid the scorching summer heat.
The Delhi government also issued the notice after being noticed alerted about the Heatwave. The advisory from the Directorate of Education (DoE) Delhi, issued guidelines asking schools to ensure that no assembly is organized in the afternoon. Also added that children must be sensitized to protect themselves from the summer heat, ensure proper availability of drinking water and water breaks in schools, and report to a nearby hospital or health facility if any student has a case of heat-related illness.
From the government of Orissa, the Information and Public Relations Department tweeted, “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,”
The government of Maharashtra has ordered that all schools affiliated with the state board will be closed from Friday, April 21, due to the current Heatwave conditions. Schools of other boards may choose to close based on their curriculum and activities.
Heatwave in the Northeastern region
The Deputy Director of the Regional Meteorological Centre in Guwahati, Dr. Sanjay O’Neill Shaw said that the temperature in Guwahati touched a maximum of 37.7 degrees recently, which is 6.5 degrees more than the normal temperature. Similarly, Shillong, Imphal, and Agartala have also seen a deviation of 4.9 degrees, 6.4 degrees, and 5.1 degrees respectively.
Also the West Garo Hills district administration in Meghalaya, due to the increasing temperatures had hereby declared that all Primary, Middle, Secondary, and Higher Secondary school activities shall remain closed during the day (8:00 am to 3:00 pm) till 21st April in the district. However, night schools will continue to operate. The order was issued as a result of the district’s mercury readings soaring above 37 degrees Celsius and even reaching 40 degrees Celsius in the plains. And Tripura had announced the closure of schools due to this Heatwave until 23rd April.
For more education-related news and updates, click here.
