The holiday declared for schools across Odisha due to prevailing heat wave conditions from April 12 to 16 has been extended for the schools in Sambalpur district. The extension came against the backdrop of Sambalpur being the hottest city on Sunday.
While the State has been blazing under the scorching sun, Sambalpur became the hottest city in the State by 2 pm on Sunday recording 42.2 degree Celsius. Keeping this in view, the holiday for the schools in the district has been extended for another two days- Monday and Tuesday.
Sambalpur was followed by Jharsuguda (41.6) and Hirakud (40.2). Similarly, Bhubaneswar recorded 39.2 degrees Celsius by 2.30 pm.
Meanwhile, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) said the State is likely to get a respite from the heat wave condition as the temperature is likely to fall by 2 to 3 degrees Celsius in the coming days.
The Regional Center of the IMD in Bhubaneswar forecast normal to medium rainfall is likely to occur at one or two places of the State on April 18, 19 and 20. Similarly, Koraput, Malkangiri, Rayagada, Kalahandi, Kandhamal, Balasore and Bhadrak are going to experience rainfall activities in the coming 24 hours. On Monday, Mayurbhanj, Keonjhar, Angul, Balasore and Dhenkanal districts of coastal and interior Odisha are likely to experience rainfall activities.
Notably, after remaining closed for five days on account of the severe heat wave, the schools across the State except those ones in the Sambalpur district will reopen on April 17.
As per the government order, the schools will only run in the morning hours, from 6:30 am till 11 am on every working day.