Odisha Government revises school and workplace timings amid early heatwave

With the heatwave conditions setting in early, the Odisha government on Wednesday declared that classes will be conducted in all the schools from morning onwards starting April 2.

Revenue and Disaster Management Minister Suresh Pujari stated that from April 2, schools will be opened at 7 am. "Heatwave has begun early this year and temperature in most of the Western Odisha districts is on the rise. Coastal districts are also facing heat as well as humidity," he told mediapersons.

Districts have been instructed to implement measures as per the SOP released by the government to counter the heatwave, said Pujari.

Exams are in progress in the schools which would go on till March 27. "The exams are taking place in the morning and from April 2, the school timings will be 7 am onwards," he added. Anganwadi centre timings have also been altered in the wake of the heatwave. Kids in anganwadis will no longer remain in the centres till 12 noon or 1 pm. The anganwadis will function from 7 am to 9 pm daily during the summer season.

"If temperature increases and children cannot reach the anganwadi kendras, the district collectors can decide on closure of the facilities. They will distribute the dry ration at the doorsteps of the children during the closure period," the minister added.

The department has also directed the employers in the construction sites and factories not to employ workers from 11 am to 3 pm and instructed the police to take action against those who disobey the order.

Pujari reported that the government has fixed a target of zero casualty this year. "In the past 10 years, we have witnessed 330 sunstroke deaths which is an average of 35 deaths per year.". This year, we have instructed all collectors to take sufficient precautions to avert any sunstroke death," he added. The precautions are to establish temporary sheds for road-going people, fulfill water requirements, repair dysfunctional water supply systems and prepare health centres.