Amid soaring temperatures, the District Education Officer (DEO) of Barwani has issued orders to revise school timings to protect students from the intense heat. Effective from Friday, schools started functioning from 8 AM to 1 PM as the region grapples with a severe heatwave.
On Thursday, the state capital experienced a sudden shift from pleasant weather to hot and humid conditions, with temperatures reaching 37.6°C. The Meteorological Department has issued warnings for thunderstorms and lightning in Gwalior, Bhind, Datia, and Morena. Rising temperatures are expected to persist across Madhya Pradesh for the next five days, with an increase of 2 to 5 degrees Celsius predicted in Bhopal, Indore, Ujjain, and Gwalior. The heat will further intensify in Jabalpur, Chambal, Narmadapuram, Rewa, Shahdol, and Sagar divisions.
In response to the escalating heat, Barwani has become the first district to alter school timings, a move likely to be adopted in other regions soon. The revised schedule applies to all schools, including Navodaya and CBSE institutions, but schools operating in two shifts will continue their existing schedule. Additionally, annual examinations and evaluation processes will proceed as per the original timetable.
Several districts, including Bhopal, witnessed hailstorms, rain, and strong winds on Thursday due to a Western Disturbance and Cyclonic Circulation. While this system is expected to weaken, cloudy weather may persist on Friday, though no major rain alerts have been issued.
Meteorologists have also predicted that a new Western Disturbance will become active around April 8, bringing another spell of rain and thunderstorms. On Friday, temperatures across the state remained high, with many locations recording over 36°C. Despite the ongoing heatwave, some districts, including Bhopal and Sehore, experienced intermittent rain and drizzle.
Authorities continue to monitor the situation, urging residents to take precautions against extreme weather conditions.
The rising heat has raised concerns about the well-being of students, laborers, and vulnerable populations. Health experts have advised people to stay hydrated, avoid prolonged exposure to the sun, and take necessary precautions to prevent heat-related illnesses such as heat strokes and dehydration.
Authorities in various districts are closely monitoring the weather conditions, and more regions may soon adopt revised school schedules or implement other heatwave mitigation measures. Municipal bodies and district administrations have also been directed to ensure adequate water supply and shading arrangements at public places.
Meanwhile, the electricity demand has surged due to increased use of air conditioners and coolers. The power department has assured that necessary steps are being taken to prevent outages, but officials have urged citizens to use electricity judiciously to avoid overloading the grid.
