Amid escalating temperatures and increasing heatwave conditions, the Jaipur district administration has made a significant move to safeguard students from extreme heat by adjusting school timings. Starting from April 27, schools in the district will operate from 7:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. This revised schedule, applicable to students from pre-primary to Class 8, aims to shield children from severe afternoon weather and prolonged exposure to heat.
The decision to change school hours came after a meeting with education department officials, where District Collector Sandesh Nayak emphasized strict adherence to the new timings. Any violations could lead to action under the Disaster Management Act. Officials highlighted that this decision prioritizes the health and safety of children, especially as temperatures continue to rise, and heatwave conditions are expected to worsen.
By shifting school hours to the morning, the administration intends to significantly reduce students’ exposure to intense sunlight and hot winds, known locally as ‘loo.’ The heatwave has gripped Rajasthan in recent days, with Chittorgarh recording the highest daytime temperature and Barmer reporting the warmest night temperature.
More than 10 districts in the state have already experienced temperatures exceeding 40 degrees Celsius, impacting daily life and causing discomfort, particularly for school children and vulnerable groups. The Meteorological Centre in Jaipur forecasts clear skies for the next few days, with temperatures expected to rise by an additional 2 degrees Celsius.
A heatwave warning has been issued for several districts between April 23 and April 25, with severe conditions anticipated in parts of the state. In the Jodhpur division, gusty winds of 20–30 km per hour are expected on April 22 and April 23, offering little respite from the prevailing heat.
The effects of rising temperatures are evident in Jaipur, where strong sunlight and high humidity levels have made conditions uncomfortable both day and night. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has cautioned that severe heat conditions will persist in various districts in eastern and western Rajasthan.
Cities like Bharatpur, Dholpur, Alwar, Kota, Bikaner, and Sri Ganganagar are likely to see temperatures surpassing 40 degrees in the upcoming days. The decision to adjust school timings by the administration is viewed as a timely and necessary step to provide relief to students and parents while ensuring safety.
