Bhubaneswar, April 26: The state government today announced that all schools of the state would be closed from May 1 for summer vacation and complete the college examination process by May 3. Colleges will have summer vacation from May 9.

A decision to this effect was taken at a review meeting chaired by chief secretary Jugal Kishore Mohapatra.

“There will be no power cut. The collectors and departments concerned have been asked to ensure water supply to water-scarce areas,” he said. The government took these decisions because of the prevailing heat wave condition, which has already claimed one life. Met officials have predicted that the situation will continue till next week. The government also directed the bus operators to avoid plying their buses during peak heat hours (11am-3pm).

Energy secretary P.K. Jena said there would be no power cut this summer. “We have arranged enough power from various sources to meet the demand,” he said.

A major part of the state has been reeling from heat wave conditions for the past one week, with the mercury hovering above 40°C. The maximum day temperature was recorded at 40°C and above in 16 places including Bhubaneswar today. Hirakud in west Odisha was the hottest place in the state today recording 43.8°C, followed by Titilagarh and Bhawanipatna (both 43.5°C), Sambalpur (43.4°C) and Talcher (43.3°C).

Director of the regional meteorological centre Sarat Chandra Sahu said the heat wave condition would continue till May 3. “The day temperature may rise further by one or two degrees on April 29-30,” he said.

Officially, the searing heat has claimed one life. However, the disaster management department has received 13 reports of suspected sunstroke deaths. “One sunstroke death has been officially confirmed. Three deaths have occurred due to other reasons. Remaining nine complaints are under investigation,” said special relief commissioner P.K. Mohapatra.

Last year, the heat wave had claimed 16 lives.