In light of the anticipated heatwave in the following days, the Patna district government on Wednesday adjusted the school schedule. The government gave the educational institutions explicit instructions not to function beyond 11.45 AM and threatened to take harsh measures if they did. When announcing the advice, Patna District Magistrate Chandrashekhar Singh said the ruling will take effect on Thursday.

The restriction would also apply to preschools and Anganwadi centers, Singh said, adding that the move was made to safeguard children from the heatwave and its effects.

“Children’s health and well-being are expected to suffer as a result of the district’s high temperatures, particularly the afternoon heatwave. Thus, in accordance with Section 163 of the Indian Civil Security Code, 2023, I, Chandrashekhar Singh, DM, Patna, hereby forbid educational activities for all classes in all schools after 11.45 a.m.,” the DM said in the directive.

“The district’s Anganwadi centers and preschools would also be subject to the directive. He said, “The school administration is thus instructed to rearrange the instructional activities in compliance with the aforementioned directive. The revised time will be in force until April 30. He also gave the district education administrator instructions to make sure that all institutions respect the directive.

On Tuesday, the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) declared a heatwave warning for the next several days in a number of Bihar districts, including Patna. The meteorological service said that temperatures are expected to reach 40 degrees Celsius while a heatwave warning is in effect in a number of the state’s regions.

The maximum temperature in some regions is expected to rise by three to four degrees Celsius during the next few days, according to the IMD. In order to prevent any problems, the weather agency also suggested that people restrict their trips and adhere to the rules.