Schools closed in Asom due to severe heat

Guwahati, Aug 14 (UNI) Special summer vacations in educational institutions in Asom have been announced from August 17 to 23 in view of severe heat conditions prevailing in the state.

State Education Minister Ripun Bora informed that all schools and colleges, except the universities and the engineering colleges, would remain closed for an additional seven days.

Most schools and colleges, government as well as private-run, had reopened on August 1 after about a month-long summer holidays.

However, reports of students falling unconscious in class rooms and severe heat over the past few days have led to the decision of extra holidays, Mr Bora said.

Meanwhile, sporadic showers in certain parts of the state during the last two days have brought down temperatures. The state had recorded highest temperatures in the past 16 years last week.

Met office sources said the average temperatures were up by five degrees Celsius during the month of August compared to the corresponding period last year.

The state has recorded scanty rainfall during the past couple of months after the monsoons showed favourable tendencies in early June.

Deficit rainfall of about 30 per cent has been recorded till now, Met office sources said.

In absence of proper irrigational facilities, the farmers were facing a tough time as many acres of land have already been rendered uncultivable for the season.

Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi and concerned officials have reviewed the situation and measures were being initiated to tackle the crisis.

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