Odisha Heat Wave Forces School Closures

Odisha is grappling with an intense heat wave, prompting authorities in three western districts to shut down educational institutions from April 18 to April 21. Notably, Bolangir, Subarnapur, and Kalahandi authorities cited extreme heat and humidity in their closure notifications, focusing on the well-being of students, teachers, and staff.

The Kalahandi district administration emphasized caution due to a Red Warning from the India Meteorological Department (IMD). While regular school activities are halted, supplementary exams for Classes 5 and 8 will still run from 7 am to 9 am, with examinees receiving light refreshments.

The IMD reported Titlagarh in Bolangir district as recording the state's highest temperature at 43.5°C. With temperatures soaring to 40°C or more in ten locations, the IMD cautioned that isolated heat wave conditions could persist in areas including Sundargarh, Jharsuguda, and Sambalpur.