Odisha to Introduce Morning School Classes Amid Early Heatwave Concerns

Bhubaneswar: In response to rising temperatures and the looming threat of an early heatwave, the Odisha government has decided to introduce morning classes in schools to protect students from extreme summer heat.

School and Mass Education Minister Nityananda Gond on Saturday said the move is aimed at reducing children’s exposure to intense afternoon temperatures. He added that the exact date for implementing the revised schedule will be finalised soon after a high-level meeting with the Revenue and Disaster Management Department.

The decision follows a similar measure taken last year, when morning classes were implemented across the state from April 2 due to an unusually early and severe heatwave.

According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), there may be short-term relief as maximum temperatures are expected to drop by 2–3°C over the next few days. However, the mercury is likely to rise gradually again, with variations across districts.

The state government has also issued heatwave management guidelines for schools, prioritising student safety. These include conducting classes during cooler morning hours, ensuring the availability of drinking water and ORS, and restricting outdoor activities during peak heat periods.

The initiative underscores the government’s proactive approach to safeguarding students amid forecasts of a harsher summer season in the state.