Ranchi: Amidst heatwave-like conditions prevailing across Jharkhand, the state government has announced a change in school timings starting from April 22 until further notice, an official said on Saturday.

According to an order issued by the education department, students from kindergarten to class 8 will attend schools from 7 am to 11.30 am, while senior pupils from class 9 to 12 will continue classes till noon. This adjustment applies to all categories of government, non-government aided, unaided, and private schools in the state.

The order explicitly prohibits prayer meetings or sports activities conducted under the sun during this period. However, mid-day meals will continue to be served.

Furthermore, a separate decision will be made and communicated regarding compensation for any educational losses incurred during this period.

"The order emphasizes that prayer meetings and sports will not be held under the sun during this period, but mid-day meals will continue," the official statement said.

The Meteorological department has already issued a heatwave alert for 15 districts from April 20 to April 22, with temperatures soaring above 40 degrees Celsius in most parts of the state.

On Saturday, Baharagora in East Singhbhum district recorded the state’s highest maximum temperature at 46.4 degrees Celsius. Several other districts experienced high temperatures ranging from 42.4 to 45.4 degrees Celsius.

Daltonganj simmered at 43.6 degrees Celsius, Jamshedpur at 44.5 degrees Celsius, Godda at 43.9 degrees Celsius, Chaibasa at 42.6 degrees Celsius, Garhwa at 42.4 degrees Celsius, Deoghar at 43.4 degrees Celsius, and Bokaro (Thermal) at 43.2 degrees Celsius on Saturday. Meanwhile, Jharkhand’s capital Ranchi recorded a maximum temperature of 39.4 degrees Celsius.

The Ranchi Meteorological Centre has identified several districts likely to be affected by the heatwave, emphasizing that there is minimal possibility of a decline in maximum temperature over the next two days.

Abhishek Anand, in-charge of the Ranchi Meteorological Centre, stated, "There is a negligible possibility of a decline in the maximum temperature for the next two days. Thereafter, it may decline by two-three degrees Celsius in southern and central parts of Jharkhand."

In response to these conditions, the weather department has advised people to stay hydrated, wear light-coloured, loose-fitting cotton clothes, and cover their heads with a cloth, hat, or umbrella when outdoors.

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