New Delhi: ury soars to unprecedented levels, and large parts of northern India, including states like Uttar Pradesh (UP), Delhi, Haryana, and Punjab, are grappling with severe heatwave conditions. The Meteorological Department has issued a red alert, warning of rising temperatures and prolonged heatwaves for the next several days. Additionally, the scorching weather phenomenon known as “Nautapa” is expected to persist from May 25th to June 2nd, leaving no respite from the heat until the first week of June. In this challenging situation, safeguarding children from the heatwave becomes paramount.
Here’s a breakdown of how various states are coping with the extreme heat:
- Uttar Pradesh (UP):
- The Basic Education Department has declared summer vacation in all primary schools from May 20th (UP Schools Closed).
- All schools up to 8th grade in UP will remain closed for the next month.
- Schools in Noida, Greater Noida, and Ghaziabad (Delhi NCR) have already closed since May 17th.
- Some schools will reopen either on June 18th during the last week of June or the first week of July.
- Punjab:
- The Punjab government preemptively ordered the closure of all schools from May 21st to June 30th, 2024 (Punjab School Holiday).
- The heatwave alert prompted this decision, even though the original summer vacation was scheduled to start on June 1st.
- Many schools in Punjab closed before May 21st due to the extreme weather conditions.
- Haryana:
- The Haryana School Education Department initially set summer vacation from June 1st to June 30th, 2024 (Haryana Schools Closed).
- However, in light of the heatwave alert, schools closed earlier, starting from May 20th.
- The government also adjusted school timings from May 18th to May 31st to mitigate the impact of the scorching weather (Haryana School Timings).
- Delhi:
- The national capital, Delhi, is experiencing temperatures exceeding 47 degrees Celsius in some areas.
- The Delhi Education Department promptly announced summer vacation for all government and government-aided schools from May 11th to June 30th, aligning with the academic and holiday calendar 2024 (Delhi School News).
- This year, Delhi residents enjoy 50 days of holidays to combat the intense heat.
- Madhya Pradesh (MP):
- The Madhya Pradesh Board of Secondary Education declared summer vacation for all schools from May 1st (Schools Closed in MP).
- Schools across Madhya Pradesh will remain closed until June 15th, although private schools may follow a different schedule.
- The Rajasthan School Education Department ordered the closure of all schools from May 17th to June 30th, 2024 (Rajasthan Schools Closed).
- Schools are prohibited from conducting extra classes during this period due to the extreme heat.
- In contrast, Maharashtra, Bihar, and Jharkhand declared holidays earlier, in April.
While northern India swelters, southern states like Kerala and Tamil Nadu are experiencing heavy rainfall, signaling the onset of the southwest monsoon later this month. As the heatwave persists, schools are adapting their schedules to protect students and staff from the scorching temperatures.
