Bhubaneswar: Two more districts in Odisha – Khurda and Deogarh – on Sunday ordered the closure of all schools and Anganwadi centres for four days from April 20 with the day temperature in the state breaching the 40°C mark.
The directive, issued by the respective District Collectors, aims to protect students, teachers, and young children from the rising temperatures and associated health risks. It aligns with similar precautionary steps taken by administrations in nine other districts – Sambalpur, Jharsuguda, Nuapada, Nabarangpur, Boudh, Balangir, Sonepur, Mayurbhanj and Kalahandi.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecasted continued hot and humid conditions, with heatwave alerts in place for several coastal and interior districts, including Khurda in coming days. Saturday also saw hospitalisation of seven students, who were staying in the hostel of SSD government high school at Chandua within Mayurbhanj’s Kuliana block, after they fell sick allegedly due to severe heat and humidity.
District officials emphasised safeguarding the health and well-being of students amid the early and intense summer heat. In many affected areas, already-scheduled examinations are set to proceed with adjustments, such as early morning timings to avoid peak heat hours, alongside directives for ensuring adequate drinking water and heat safety measures.
Revenue and Disaster Management Minister Suresh Pujari has emphasised on a decentralised approach, stating that district collectors have been empowered to independently decide on closures of anganwadis, schools, and colleges based on local conditions, without waiting for state-level orders. This aims to enable faster, more responsive action amid rising temperatures. “The state has already prepared an SOP and discussed it with all district collectors. Beyond the SOP, if collectors feel the need to take a decision on school or college closure, or any other matter related to heat conditions, they can do so and seek approval from the government later,” Pujari said in a video conference with collectors.
He added that the focus is on zero casualties due to heatwave.
The government has warned private institutions against violating closure orders, with strict action for non-compliance.
