Bhubaneswar, April 11: With the mercury shooting up to an all-time high, the state government today directed all schools in the state to remain closed till April 20.

“All the schools in the state have been asked to suspend classes from tomorrow till April 20. We will review the heatwave situation on April 20 and take a decision whether to continue with the closure of the schools,” said special relief commissioner Pradipta Kumar Mohapatra.

Those schools that have examinations scheduled during this period have been asked to wrap it up either during morning or evening hours. 

The Meteorological department today predicted that the intense heatwave conditions in the state would continue till April 20. There is no respite in sight from the shooting mercury. 

Notably, the state government last month had directed the schools to conduct morning classes from April 2 till May 1.

Subsequently, schools had rescheduled their classes from 6.30am to 10.30am.

“We are happy with the decision of the state government. Classes for my son start at 7am, but despite warning him several times, he keeps playing outdoors in his school after study hours and there is no one to check him. I was very worried about it,” said Subhra Misha, a parent.

“It would have been particularly difficult for student of government-run schools since most of them walk to their respective institutions. 

It is painful to see them returning in groups with the sun beating down on them. I appreciate the prompt action taken by the state government,” said Himanshu Jena, a local resident.