As predicted by the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD), India is experiencing a hotter-than-normal summer, prompting states and UTs to take necessary precautions. Heatwave alerts have been issued in multiple states, and while rainfall is expected in certain areas, temperatures are expected to remain high for some time. Heatwave conditions are likely in isolated areas of Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal, Bihar, Sikkim, Odisha, and Andhra Pradesh, with East India experiencing these conditions for the next four days. In response, some authorities have closed schools or adjusted timings due to temperatures surpassing 40 degrees Celsius
School Vacations Extended in the following states:
The Department of Basic Education, Uttar Pradesh, conveyed through Twitter, "Considering the scorching heat in council schools, the duration of summer vacations has been extended until 26th June. While schools were originally slated to reopen on 15th June, they will now resume operations on 27th June 2023."
Director General, School Education, Vijay Kiran Anand said, “There is a forecast of extreme heat conditions with possibility of sunstroke due to exposure to the sun in the state in the next few days. Extreme heat can have adverse effects on young children. Keeping this in mind, the summer vacation has been extended till June 26,” news agency IANS reported.
Recognised schools under the council will grant authority to the School Management Committee to make decisions regarding summer vacation. Prior to reopening on 27th June, the government emphasizes the importance of maintaining sanitation, clean toilets, access to pure drinking water, and appropriate seating arrangements for students within the school premises.
Commencing on 27th June, classes will resume, but until then, students of basic schools will continue their studies and complete homework assigned during the summer break through the 'Diksha App'. The Meteorological Department has issued a yellow alert, warning of severe heatwaves in numerous districts of the state.
Akhil Jharkhand Prathmik Sikshak Sangh spokesperson Nasim Ahmed said: “As of now, the school timing is 6.45am to 1pm with students having to return home in the afternoon. On June 3, we requested the Ranchi deputy commissioner to order a change in the timing and make it between 6.30am and 11.30am. However, no action has been taken so far.”
The Meteorological Office in Ranchi has issued a heatwave alert for Ranchi and its surrounding areas.
PSACWA Jharkhand plans to inform Chief Minister Hemant Soren about health risks to students as schools reopen during the heatwave.
On Wednesday, Ranchi experienced a scorching maximum temperature of 39.8 degrees Celsius, surpassing the normal by 4.1 notches.
Owing to this, Tamil Nadu is yet another state where summer vacation jas been extended, with Standard 6 to 12 classes resuming on June 12 and Standard 1 to 5 on June 14, as announced by School Education Minister Anbil Mahesh Poyyamozhi. The initial reopening dates were June 1 for Classes 6 to 12 and June 5 for Classes 1 to 5, but were later postponed to June 7. However, the reopening has been further postponed after discussions with Chief Minister MK Stalin.
The Puducherry Government has postponed the school reopening date to June 14.
