With the weather office warning continuation of heat-wave condition till May 3 and the mercury level crossing 43 degree Celsius in seven places in Odisha, the state government today announced summer vacation in schools from May 1.
"All the schools, both private and government, will begin their summer vacation on May 1 and colleges on May 9 in view of the prevailing heat wave condition," Chief Secretary J K Mohapatra said after reviewing the situation.
The state today experienced gruelling heat in almost all places with highest temperature of 43.8 degree C recorded at Hirakud followed by 43.5 degree C at Bhawanipatna and Titlagarh. The western districts of Odisha were almost on boil as Sambalpur, Balangir and other places recorded temperature above 43 degree C.
State capital Bhubaneswar recorded 40.8 degree C, while the coal belt of Talcher and Angul recorded 43.3 and 43.1 degree C respectively. Most places barring coastal town of Paradip, Puri and Gopalpur, all recorded temperature near 40 degree C.
The Chief Secretary directed the departments of Rural Development and Urban Development to ensure drinking water supply by keeping all the pump houses functional. "The Rural Development and Public Health Departments have been asked to supply water through tankers in difficult areas where no source of water is available," Mohapatra said.
The department of energy has been asked to ensure uninterrupted power supply to pump houses and hospitals. The health department is also asked to make all provisions ready to treat the sunstroke patients.
Mohapatra also asked School and Mass Education Department to ensure that school children are not be kept in school or transport bus after 11 AM. As examinations in schools are over and college examinations to be completed by May 3, Mohapatra asked them to go for summer vacation. Summer vacation will be from May 9 to June 17 in colleges.
The Labour department has also been advised to restrict the working time of the labourers accordingly.
Special Relief Commissioner P K Mohapatra said although there are recent reports of 13 persons dying due to sunstroke, only one death has been confirmed so far. All district collectors have been instructed to give inquiry reports within 36 hours of such deaths being reported, he said.
