Morning classes in schools from April as mercury rises

"The order relating to morning classes will be implemented in government, private, public and English medium schools across the state," said an official after attending a high-level meeting chaired by Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik.

Among other decisions, the government also decided to change working hours for daily labourers and issued instructions not to operate passenger buses between 11 am and 3 pm during the day from April.

The passenger buses were also asked to keep drinking water and ORS packets for the comfort of passengers.

Though the state experienced a gruelling summer last year due to a power crisis, the state government is hopeful of a better situation this time.

"We have about 10 per cent more water reserved in reservoirs this time than the previous year," said a senior official of the water resource department.

Besides being able to generate hydro-power due to sufficient water in reservoir, the water resource department also assured the chief minister that water could be released in river and canals during the summer to beat the heat.

The state government also asked collectors of 15 districts to give special attention on a possible heat wave situation during the summer.

Similarly, instructions were also issued for repair of all defunct tube wells before April.