Heatwave alert: Tripura govt orders closure of all schools from April 24-27

AGARTALA: As Tripura grapples with scorching temperatures, the state government has taken decisive action to protect students from the extreme heat. According to an official statement released on Wednesday, all schools across the state will remain closed for four days, starting from April 24 until April 27.

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has reported that Tripura experienced a temperature of 37 degrees Celsius on Wednesday, which is approximately 3 degrees Celsius above the normal level for this time of year.

The IMD bulletin further warns that the temperature could potentially rise to a sweltering 39 degrees Celsius by the end of the current week, exacerbating the heatwave conditions in the northeastern state.

"It has been decided that all the schools - government, government aided and private will remain closed from April 24 to 27", said additional secretary in education (School) Department, N C Sharma.

"The entire state is reeling under heatwave conditions and this condition will continue for some more days. In view of this heatwave and humid weather the state government has declared it a state-specific disaster," said another official.

He said the district-level disaster management authorities were advised to conduct awareness among the public.

"The district administration has also been asked to activate the emergency centres, and quick response teams and ensure uninterrupted power supply to all areas for the safety of the people of the state".

He said an advisory has been issued by the Revenue department asking people not to go out in the sun specifically between 10am to 3pm.

(With inputs from PTI)