School Holiday Due to Heatwave: Odisha, Uttarakhand & More States Announce Closures Due To Rising Heat

The summer season of 2026 is heading towards its peak, and a severe heatwave is all across parts of India, which has begun disrupting school schedules, with several states either shutting schools early or cutting class hours to protect students. Since the weather is getting hotter and temperatures continue to rise, authorities are taking precautionary steps and safety measures to protect school-going children.

Early Closures Announced in Multiple States

Some states have already moved to shut schools ahead of schedule. Odisha has declared early summer vacation starting April 27, weeks before its usual May calendar.

In Dehradun, Uttarakhand, all schools from Classes 1 to 12, along with Anganwadi centres, have been ordered shut for the day by the district administration.

Chhattisgarh had already begun its summer break earlier, with schools closed from April 20 and set to reopen on June 15.
Similarly, West Bengal advanced its summer vacation to April 22, although the Darjeeling district has been kept out of this order due to relatively cooler conditions.

Shortened School Hours in Several Regions

While some states have opted for closures, others are keeping schools open but limiting operations to early morning hours to avoid peak heat.

Cities like Prayagraj in Uttar Pradesh and regions in Rajasthan have shifted school timings to 7:30 AM to 12:00 PM.
Jharkhand schools are operating between 7:00 AM and 11:30 AM, while Patna in Bihar has restricted classes up to 8th standard till 11:30 AM. Maharashtra has also introduced early schedules, with schools running from 7:00 AM to 11:15 AM.

Delhi-NCR Yet to Announce Early Closure

In Delhi-NCR, schools remain open for now, with summer vacations scheduled from May 11 to June 30, 2026. However, concerns among parents are growing, with many demanding an earlier break.

According to reports, Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta has asked schools to submit heatwave preparedness reports to the Directorate of Education by May 2.

Safety Measures Rolled Out in Schools

Schools that remain open have introduced several safety measures to cope with the heat. A "water bell" system has been implemented in many places, for students take regular hydration breaks. A buddy system is also being followed, where students keep an eye on each other for signs of heat stress.

Outdoor activities, including assemblies, sports, and open-air classes, have been restricted. Schools have also been asked to conduct awareness sessions on heat safety and ensure that first aid facilities are readily available.

Weather May Offer Some Relief

There is some relief in sight as the IMD Weather forecasts suggests that parts of the country may experience light rain, thunderstorms, and gusty winds from today, April 27. This will help bring the Temperatures down slightly, potentially dropping to around 38-40°C by the end of next week.