BHUBANESWAR: The state government today announced summer vacation in the schools from tomorrow, a week ahead of schedule, in view of the intense heatwave conditions. While almost all the
Western Odisha districts experienced blistering heat, frequent power cuts added to the woes of the people.
Announcing the decision, school and mass education minister Debi Prasad Mishra told mediapersons that summer vacation has been advanced in all the schools in the state, government as well as private, which would remain closed from tomorrow in view of the scorching heat and reopen from June 18. Steps will be
taken to make up for the loss of classes, he said.
Meanwhile, director of the Meteorological Centre here, Sarat Chandra Sahu said the heat wave like condition is likely to prevail over Interior and Western districts of Odisha for a week and the temperature range may be between 43 and 45 degree Celsius in Western Odisha districts.
Though there may be decrease in day maximum temperature between April 29 and May 1, 2017 but thereafter, the temperature is likely to rise again. Temperature in some of the coastal districts may also increase upto 40 degree Celsius but sea breeze is likely to prevail in these areas in the afternoon, he said.
Titlagarh which recorded maximum day temperature of 45.5 degree celcius was the hottest place in Odisha today. Mercury breached the 42 degree mark in nine towns and 40 degree mark in at least 14 places.
According to the office of the Special Relief Commissioner (SRC), two sunstroke deaths have so far been reported in the state, one each from Bargarh and Angul district.
Angul town recorded a maximum temperature of 44.1 degrees Celsius, followed by 43.8 degrees Celsius at Hirakud and 43.6 degrees Celsius at both Balangir and Talcher. Bhawanipatna recorded the highest day temperature of 43.5 degrees Celsius Bhawanipatna and Sundargarh recorded 43 degrees Celsius.
Jharsuguda recorded 42.6 degrees Celsius, followed by 42.2 degree Celsius at Sambalpur, 42 degree at Malkangiri, 41.6 degree at Sonepur, 41.5 degree at Keonjhargarh, 40.6 degree at Phulbani and 40.4 degree Celsius at Dhenkanal, the MeT office said.
Bhubaneswar recorded a maximum temperature of 37.7 degree Celsius while mercury touched 38 degree celsius at neighbouring Cuttack city.