Bhubaneswar: The administrations in at least nine districts of Odisha have mandated the closure of anganwadi centres, schools, colleges, and technical institutions, both government and private, to protect students and staff from the intensifying heatwave.
This decision follows severe heatwave warnings issued by the India Meteorological Department (IMD) for several western districts until April 22. The warning particularly affects five districts: Sambalpur, Sundargarh, Balangir, Nuapada, and Jharsuguda. Temperatures have already exceeded 42°C in multiple areas, with Titlagarh in Balangir recording the highest at 42.7°C, followed closely by Jharsuguda at 42.6°C, Bhawanipatna at 42°C, and Sambalpur and Nuapada at 41.6°C each. Numerous other locations, including Hirakud, Bolangir, Talcher, Rourkela, Boudh, and Sonepur, have surpassed the 40°C mark.
While schools in Sambalpur have been closed from April 20 to 22, all educational institutions in Jharsuguda will remain shut from April 20 to 23. Similarly, schools and colleges in Nabarangpur and Nuapada are closed from April 20 until further notice. In Balangir, Boudh, Sonepur, and Kalahandi, schools will reopen after three to four days, while examinations will proceed as scheduled, preferably during morning hours. Mayurbhanj district has also announced the closure of schools from April 20 to 24.
Revenue and Disaster Management Minister Suresh Pujari emphasized a decentralized approach, stating that district collectors have been empowered to independently decide on closures of anganwadis, schools, and colleges based on local conditions, without waiting for state-level orders. This aims to enable faster, more responsive action amid rising temperatures. “The state has already prepared an SOP and discussed it with all district collectors. Beyond the SOP, if collectors feel the need to take a decision on school or college closure, or any other matter related to heat conditions, they can do so and seek approval from the government later,” Pujari said in a video conference with collectors.
He added that the focus is on zero casualties due to the heatwave.
The government has warned private institutions against violating closure orders, with strict action for non-compliance.
