With mercury levels breaching 44°C in parts of the country, a sweeping heatwave has forced officials to order school closures. Timings have been adjusted, summer holidays brought forward and temporary closures have been imposed in certain regions.
The intense weather has disrupted the academic calendar in several states, with urgent steps taken to shield students from the heat.
Here's a list of regions where school closures have been announced:
Chhattisgarh: The summer break in Chhattisgarh will now run from April 20 until June 15. Thus, the summer vacation will start two weeks earlier than usual.
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Odisha: Schools in Odisha are due to remain closed from April 27.
West Bengal: The state has already implemented holidays from 22 April, though institutions in hill districts such as Darjeeling remain open.
Tripura: It has mandated closures from April 24 to May 1.
Jharkhand: Authorities in the state have advised shutting schools temporarily in heat-affected districts.
Dehradun: With the region reeling under an unrelenting heatwave, the district administration has ordered all schools to shut from Monday, 27 April. The directive extends to government and private institutions, covering classes 1 to 12, in addition to Anganwadi centres.
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Revision Of School Timings
As the heatwave tightens its grip across India, several state governments have shifted school schedules to early morning hours so that classes wrap up before the worst of the afternoon heat. As per media reports, revised timings include:
Uttar Pradesh: 7:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m.
Jharkhand: 7:00 a.m.–11:30 a.m.
Patna: until 11:30 a.m.
Madhya Pradesh: 7:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m.
Odisha: 6:30 a.m.–10:30 a.m.
Maharashtra: 7:00 a.m.–11:15 a.m.
Noida: 7:00 a.m.–12:30 p.m.
For institutions that have not shut down, officials have implemented a range of heat-safety protocols to minimise health risks. A key measure is the “Water Bell” initiative, adopted in Delhi and Uttarakhand, reminding students to stay hydrated throughout the day.
Outdoor events such as assemblies and games have been restricted between 11 a.m. and 4 p.m. in Delhi and Telangana, and checks are in place to ensure classrooms remain well-ventilated.
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