Jamshedpur, April 24: Concerned over the constant rise in mercury, which has already claimed one life in Patamda, the East Singhbhum district administration is considering early vacations for city schools.

Summer vacation in city schools is usually declared on or after May 9. But with the mercury touching 43°C, the administration is drawing up a circular to direct school authorities to declare holidays from May 1.

Ruling out the possibility of rain, the Met department on the other hand warned of maximum temperature reaching 45°C.

The steel city today recorded the highest temperature of the season — 42.9°C — three degrees above normal. The minimum temperature recorded was 25.6°C — two degrees more than normal.

Deputy commissioner of East Singhbhum Nitin Madan Kulkarni said: “The maximum temperature during this time of the season in the city is comparatively higher than in previous years. Keeping in mind the health of students, an early summer vacation would be a wise decision.” He added that the district collectorate was closely monitoring the temperature.

Due to the sweltering heat, the district administration had already rescheduled school timings in the past fortnight. Schools have been directed to conduct classes between 6.30am and 12 noon. Low attendance in the primary section is being registered in various schools across the district. Cases of children complaining of uneasiness and vomiting in classrooms have also increased.

City hospitals and nursing homes have started getting cases of sunstroke, too. One sunstroke death was reported from Patamda in East Singhbhum. Doctors at the Mahatma Gandhi Memorial Medical College and Hospital said that, on an average, three patients with symptoms of sunstroke are being admitted to the hospital. Sources in Tata Main Hospital confirmed admission of patients with sunstroke complications.

There is no respite from the sweltering condition, said the Patna Met office, as dry northwesterly winds would continue to dominate the state. “We found no change in the wind pattern during the weather chart analysis. Maximum temperature will continue to rise if it does not rain,” said T.N. Jha, the director of Patna Met office. He added people could expect relief with the Nor’westers, which generally arrive with changes in the local weather condition.