Bhubaneswar: The Odisha government will take a call on declaring summer vacation in schools in specific districts only after receiving detailed reports from District Collectors, School and Mass Education Minister Nityananda Gond said on Thursday
As temperatures continue to rise sharply across the state, the minister stressed that the safety and well-being of students remain the top priority of the government. Gond said the department is closely monitoring the evolving heatwave situation, especially in western Odisha where severe conditions have been reported.
“The decision on school closures will be taken only after receiving ground-level inputs from the respective district collectors,” the minister stated. He added that the assessment is being done on a district-wise basis rather than issuing a blanket order for the entire state.
Collectors in the affected districts have been directed to submit comprehensive reports on the prevailing weather conditions and their impact on students.
Meanwhile, the Special Relief Commissioner (SRC) is scheduled to hold a review meeting on the heatwave situation. A final decision on advancing summer vacation or implementing temporary school closures will be taken only after this meeting and a thorough assessment, Gond added.
According to the Regional Meteorological Centre, maximum temperatures reached 40 degrees Celsius or higher at nine locations in the state on Thursday, with Titilagarh recording the highest at 42 degrees Celsius.
