Ranchi:

In view of the heatwave-like weather Jharkhand is facing, the state government has announced changes in school timings from April 22 until further notice, an official said on Saturday.

The order issued by the education department said that under the new schedule, students in kindergarten to grade 8 will come to school from 7 a.m. to 11:30 a.m., while students in upper grades 9 to 12 will continue to attend classes until noon.

This adjustment is applicable to all categories of government, non-government aided, non-aided and private schools in the state.

The order explicitly prohibits prayer meetings or sports activities in the sun during this period, but lunch will continue to be served.

Additionally, separate decisions regarding compensation for any educational losses incurred during this period will be made and communicated.

“During this period, prayer meetings and sports will not take place under the sun, but lunch will continue,” the order said.

The meteorological department has issued heat wave warnings to 15 regions from April 20 to 22, with temperatures soaring above 40 degrees Celsius in most parts of the state.

Baharagora in West Singhbhum district recorded the state’s maximum temperature of 46.4 degrees Celsius on Saturday, while several other districts also experienced high temperatures of 42.4 to 45.4 degrees Celsius.

On Saturday, the temperature in Daltonganj was 43.6, Jamshedpur 44.5, Goda 43.9, Chaibasa 42.6, Garhwa 42.4, Deoghar 43.4 and Bokaro (hot) degrees Celsius. Ranchi, the capital of Jharkhand, recorded a maximum temperature of 39.4 degrees Celsius.

The Ranchi Meteorological Center has identified several areas that are likely to be affected by the heat wave and stressed that there is little chance of a dip in the maximum temperature over the next two days.

Abhishek Anand, director of the Meteorological Center in Ranchi, said: “There is minimal possibility of a dip in the maximum temperature in the next two days. Thereafter, the temperature in southern and central Jharkhand is likely to drop by 2-3 degrees Celsius.”

In response to these conditions, the meteorological department recommends that people stay hydrated, wear light-colored, loose-fitting cotton clothing, and cover their heads with a cloth, hat, or umbrella when outdoors.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)