Intense heatwave sweeps Orissa; Naveen orders early summer vacation

Bhubaneswar, Apr 21 (UNI) As the intense heatwave condition continued to grip the entire Orissa throwing life out of gear, Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik today ordered for early summer vacation of all the educational institutions from tomorrow.

Mr Patnaik directed that both government and non government schools would remain closed for the summer vacation from tomorrow.

Most of the educational institutions in the state was scheduled to start their summer vacation from May one next.

Official sources said several parts of Orissa are reeling under an intense heat wave condition for the last couple of days with mercury hovering over 42 to 44 degrees Celsius at many places.

Although so far 22 heatwave deaths were reported from various districts, the state government on inquiry today confirmed only four deaths due to the heatwave condition.

State Health Secretary T K Pande also today reviewed a high level meeting and directed all the hospitals across the state to remain alert to treat patients with heatwave symptoms.

The state government has already directed that no buses would ply between 1230 hours to 1530 hours and imposed a ban on the working of the wage labourers between 1200 hours to 1500 hours.

Report reaching here said several areas in Western Orissa have been experiencing an unprecedented rise in day temperature for the last couple of days with mercury hovering over 42 to 44 degrees Celsius.

At several places the people were facing acute drinking water crisis as the water bodies have already dried up triggering severe drinking water crisis.

Met sources said the heat wave condition is likely to prevail for another few days in the state.

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