Bhubaneswar: The administrations in at least nine districts of Odisha have ordered the closure of anganwadi centres, schools, colleges, and technical institutions, both government and private, to protect students and staff from the intensifying heatwave.
This comes as the India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued severe heatwave warnings for several western districts until April 22. Warning has been issued particularly for five districts of Sambalpur, Sundargarh, Balangir, Nuapada, and Jharsuguda. Temperatures have already soared past 42°C in multiple places, with Titlagarh in Balangir recording the highest at 42.7°C, followed closely by Jharsuguda at 42.6°C, Bhawanipatna at 42°C, and Sambalpur and Nuapada at 41.6°C each. Several other locations, including Hirakud, Bolangir, Talcher, Rourkela, Boudh, and Sonepur, have crossed the 40°C mark.
While schools in Samblapur have been closed from April 20 to 22, all educational institutions will remain shut in Jharsuguda shut from April 20 to 23. Similarly, schools and colleges in Nabarangpur and Nuapada are closed from April 20 until further notice. In Balangir, Boudh, Sonepur and Kalahandi, schools will reopen after three to four days, while examinations will continue as scheduled, preferably during morning hours. Mayurbhanj district has also announced closure of schools from April 20 to 24.
Revenue and Disaster Management Minister Suresh Pujari emphasixed 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 govt 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.
