Chhattisgarh advances summer vacation for schools amid heatwave

The Chhattisgarh government on April 16 advanced summer vacations for schools in view of the ongoing heatwave across the state.

The school education department announced holidays from April 20 to June 15 for all government, aided, non-aided, and private schools, instead of the earlier schedule from May 1. Officials said the order will not apply to teachers.

The move follows a review of weather conditions, with several parts of the state recording temperatures above 40°C.

The Meteorological Centre in Raipur said heatwave conditions are likely in isolated areas of Bilaspur, Raipur, and Durg divisions between April 16 and April 19, with maximum temperatures expected to rise by 1 to 3°C in the coming days.

"Ensuring the safety of children during the severe heatwave is our top priority. The summer vacation has been preponed so that their health is not adversely affected. Summer vacation has now been declared from April 20 to June 15, thereby ensuring the safety and well-being of children amidst this scorching heat," Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai said in a post on X.

According to official data, Rajnandgaon recorded the highest maximum temperature at 43°C, while Ambikapur registered the lowest minimum at 19.6°C. Raipur reported a high of 41.7°C, the Meteorological Centre said.