Heat wave alert: Delhi govt advisory to schools, bans afternoon assembly

The Delhi government has issued an advisory for schools after the IMD predicted a heatwave for several states.

The Delhi government has issued an advisory to schools on preparedness for the ongoing summer season. In the guidelines, the government said that all schools in Delhi recognised under the directorate of education have to ensure that there is no student assembly in the schools during the afternoon shift.

"As the daytime temperature in Delhi crosses more than 40 degrees Celsius during the summer season this is detrimental to the health of the children and adolescents studying in schools. The rise in temperature in NCR has led to the increased instance of heat-related illness," the guidelines read.

Water break-cover heads:

The Delhi government said that all schools recognised under the Directorate of Education will have to ensure availability of drinking water to students.

Students should be given water breaks during classes, the circular read.

In the circular the Directorate of Education also said that schools will have to sensitise students to cover their heads during the daytime. ""Sensitise students to cover their heads (use an umbrella, hat, cap, towel and other traditional head gears) during direct exposure to sunlight) when coming or leaving the school)," the circular also said.

Schools will also have to report to nearby hospital or health facility if any students has a case of heat-related illness, the circular also mentioned.

Heatwave alert:

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) had issue a heatwave alert for several states. It predicted an increase in maximum temperatures by at 2 to 4 degrees Celsius in the following week. The IMD had also said that some states in the country may witness heatwaves from Thursday (today) onwards.

The heatwave conditions are likely to take place in Odisha and West Bengal, the IMD had said.

The IMD had however added that coastal districts may witness a reduction in temperatures. Chances of thunderstorms ar high in these areas, the IMD had said.

Rains until Sunday:

The ID had also predicted rainfall in some states until Sunday. Light to moderate rainfall with thunderstorms and lighting have been predicted in Goa, central Maharashtra and the Marathwada region during the next five days, the weather body had said.