With the onset of March, many states are facing the heat, so people are forced to hide in their homes during the afternoon.

With the onset of March, many states are facing the heat these days, especially eastern states like Odisha. It is very hot here these days, people are forced to stay in their homes due to the heat. The state is already recording a temperature of around 34 degrees Celsius and the humidity is felt to be 43 percent. In such a situation, to protect children from this heat, the government has decided to change the school timings.

Times changed for all government and private schools

The government has decided to change the timings of both government and private schools. Odisha government's Disaster Management Minister Suresh Pujari said that the school examinations will run till March 27. In such a situation, the classes of the new academic session will run from April 2 and the classes will start in the morning. Anganwadi centres will also operate from 7 am to 9 am during summer. Pujari said that temperatures have started rising a month earlier than normal in many areas of the state. Heat waves are prevailing in districts like Boudh, Sambalpur, Jharsuguda, Bargarh, Bolangir and Sundargarh, while humidity is being observed in coastal areas.

Steps will be taken to avoid heat wave

The minister further said, "In view of the current situation, the government has issued orders to various departments and district collectors to take necessary steps to deal with the heat wave. The collector has been asked to take necessary action based on local needs without waiting for the government's approval. More than 330 people have died due to sunstroke in the last 10 years. We have asked the officials to take steps to prevent deaths due to sunstroke."

He further said that drinking water facilities and resting places will be made on the roadside. The Panchayati Raj Department has already sanctioned Rs 300 crore for new tubewells in areas with drinking water shortage. If needed, more funds will be provided. Also, on the electricity related problem, he said that the Energy Department has been asked to avoid power cuts from 11 am to 3 pm and from 9 pm to 6 am.