BHUBANESWAR:
With
no sign of any relief from the grueling heat, the state government on
Saturday decided that summer vacation would begin in schools, both
state-run and private, from May 1 and in colleges from May 9.
"Examinations in schools are over and they should go for summer vacation from May 1. Those who want to keep their institutions open beyond the said date have to take permission from the government," said chief secretary Jugal Kishore Mohapatra following a meeting on various measures adopted by the state government to prevent sunstroke cases.
He said the school and mass education department has been asked to ensure that children do not stay in schools after 11 am. The government has instructed anganwadi centres not to expose children to the sun.
Official sources said summer vacation in colleges will continue till June 17.
The government decision came amid serious concern in different quarters about possible heatstroke cases due to the scorching sun.
On Saturday, at least 17 places in the state recorded above 40 degree Celsius.
Of them, the mercury level at nine places hovered above 42 degree Celsius. Hirakud recorded the day's highest temperature of 43.8 deg Celsius, followed by Titlagarh and Bhawanipatna at 43.5 degree Celsius each. The state capital recorded 40.8 degree Celsius.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) forecast that heatwave condition would continue at least till next week and may continue even after that.
Mohapatra said instructions have been issued to all district collectors and administrative departments to take steps to meet the heatwave and water scarcity situation. He also appealed to people to avoid moving outside during peak heat hours.
The state government has decided that heatstroke patients will also be treated in central government-run Employees State Insurance (ESI) hospitals and those being managed by it.
It directed chief district medical officers and other medical officers to undertake prompt inquiry into alleged sunstroke death cases. Ten alleged sunstroke death cases have been reported in the state. One case in Cuttack was confirmed after inquiry.
Official sources said restrictions were imposed on movement of public transport between 11 am and 3 pm. All bus owners and associations have been asked to ensure potable drinking water and first aid boxes in each vehicle and avoid overcrowding. The labour department was advised to restrict the working hours of labourers.
At the meeting, energy secretary P K Jena said uninterrupted power supply would be provided to pump houses, including those, which have defaulted in payment of bills, during summer.
The government also asked health and rural development departments to keep hired generator sets in pump houses to meet any power tripping.
A report from Sambalpur said normal life was affected as the temperature touched 43.4 deg Celsius on Saturday, the hottest day in the town this season.
Market places and commercial establishments remained closed during the day as people stayed indoors.
Last year, Sambalpur recorded the highest temperature of 47.4 deg Celsius on May 24. The all-time high of the town was 47.5 degree Celsius on June, 2, 1998.
"Examinations in schools are over and they should go for summer vacation from May 1. Those who want to keep their institutions open beyond the said date have to take permission from the government," said chief secretary Jugal Kishore Mohapatra following a meeting on various measures adopted by the state government to prevent sunstroke cases.
He said the school and mass education department has been asked to ensure that children do not stay in schools after 11 am. The government has instructed anganwadi centres not to expose children to the sun.
Official sources said summer vacation in colleges will continue till June 17.
The government decision came amid serious concern in different quarters about possible heatstroke cases due to the scorching sun.
On Saturday, at least 17 places in the state recorded above 40 degree Celsius.
Of them, the mercury level at nine places hovered above 42 degree Celsius. Hirakud recorded the day's highest temperature of 43.8 deg Celsius, followed by Titlagarh and Bhawanipatna at 43.5 degree Celsius each. The state capital recorded 40.8 degree Celsius.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) forecast that heatwave condition would continue at least till next week and may continue even after that.
Mohapatra said instructions have been issued to all district collectors and administrative departments to take steps to meet the heatwave and water scarcity situation. He also appealed to people to avoid moving outside during peak heat hours.
The state government has decided that heatstroke patients will also be treated in central government-run Employees State Insurance (ESI) hospitals and those being managed by it.
It directed chief district medical officers and other medical officers to undertake prompt inquiry into alleged sunstroke death cases. Ten alleged sunstroke death cases have been reported in the state. One case in Cuttack was confirmed after inquiry.
Official sources said restrictions were imposed on movement of public transport between 11 am and 3 pm. All bus owners and associations have been asked to ensure potable drinking water and first aid boxes in each vehicle and avoid overcrowding. The labour department was advised to restrict the working hours of labourers.
At the meeting, energy secretary P K Jena said uninterrupted power supply would be provided to pump houses, including those, which have defaulted in payment of bills, during summer.
The government also asked health and rural development departments to keep hired generator sets in pump houses to meet any power tripping.
A report from Sambalpur said normal life was affected as the temperature touched 43.4 deg Celsius on Saturday, the hottest day in the town this season.
Market places and commercial establishments remained closed during the day as people stayed indoors.
Last year, Sambalpur recorded the highest temperature of 47.4 deg Celsius on May 24. The all-time high of the town was 47.5 degree Celsius on June, 2, 1998.
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