With the heat wave conditions sweeping across Odisha, the State Government on Tuesday directed the schools to conduct morning classes from April 2. The classes will be conducted from 6.30 am to 10.30 am. Besides, the schools were asked to conclude all examinations by April-end. Special Relief Commissioner Pradipta Mohapatra informed this after a review meeting chaired by Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik at the State Secretariat here.
This apart, the Government instructed not to engage labourers between 11 am and 3.30 pm from April 1. With the mercury breaching 64-year record for registering the highest-ever temperature in Bhubaneswar on Monday in the month of March since 1952 and three persons having died due to alleged sunstroke in the State, the Government decided to open special wards in all hospitals to treat heat-stroke patients. In addition to this, the Government decided not to impose power cuts at installations providing emergency services till the mercury goes down.