Bihar heatwave: Patna, Arwal cut school hours as temps cross 40°C
Synopsis
With Bihar baking above 40°C, district magistrates in Patna and Arwal have suspended classes for primary school children and capped hours for older students. The orders, backed by meteorological warnings of persisting extreme heat, highlight how climate-driven disruptions are increasingly forcing administrative intervention in the state's education system.
Key Takeaways
Patna DM Thiyagarajan S.M. suspended classes for students up to Class 5 in all schools till 26 May 2026 ; Classes 6–8 permitted only till 10.30 am .
Arwal DM Amrisha Bains banned classes beyond 11 am for Classes 6–12 and suspended all teaching for up to Grade 5 from 22–25 May 2026 .
Orders cover government and private schools, pre-schools, Anganwadi centres , and coaching institutes; government residential schools in Arwal are exempt.
Bihar Meteorological Service Centre data indicates heatwave conditions will persist, with temperatures above 40°C across most of the state.
Authorities cited heatstroke, dehydration, and related illnesses as key risks prompting the precautionary measures.
District administrations in Patna and Arwal have imposed restrictions on school timings across Bihar as daytime temperatures exceed 40 degrees Celsius, posing serious health risks to children. The orders, issued on 21 May 2026, affect government and private schools, pre-schools, Anganwadi centres, and coaching institutes in both districts.
What the Orders Say
Patna District Magistrate Thiyagarajan S.M. has ordered the complete suspension of academic activities for students up to Class 5 in all schools — government, private, and pre-primary — until 26 May 2026. For students in Classes 6 to 8, classes are permitted only until 10.30 am. The directive was issued under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), citing severe heatwave conditions and the risk to children's health and safety.
In Arwal, District Magistrate Amrisha Bains has suspended classes up to Grade 5 across all schools, pre-schools, Anganwadi centres, and coaching institutes. Students from Classes 6 to 12 are barred from attending classes after 11 am. These restrictions are in force from 22 May to 25 May 2026. Government residential schools have been exempted from Arwal's order.
The Weather Trigger
According to district officials, inputs from the Bihar Meteorological Service Centre in Patna indicate that extreme temperatures and heatwave conditions are likely to persist across several parts of the state over the coming days. Daytime temperatures have remained above 40 degrees Celsius across most of Bihar, severely affecting normal life. Authorities cited heatstroke, dehydration, and related illnesses as the primary health concerns driving the precautionary measures.
Enforcement and Compliance
The Patna district administration has directed the District Education Officer, Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) officials, Sub-Divisional Officers, and police authorities to ensure strict compliance. School administrations in both districts have been instructed to reschedule academic activities in line with the official directives. Parents and guardians have been urged to keep children indoors and avoid exposing them to direct sunlight during peak afternoon hours.
What Happens Next
Officials stated that the situation is being closely monitored and further decisions — including possible extensions of the restrictions — will depend on weather conditions over the coming days. This comes amid a broader pattern of heatwave-driven school closures across northern and eastern India in the pre-monsoon months, underscoring the growing administrative burden of climate-linked disruptions to education.
Point of View
Not structural — issued days into an already severe heatwave rather than ahead of it. Bihar's school infrastructure, particularly in rural areas, largely lacks cooling facilities, making heat-related closures a recurring annual crisis rather than an exception. The reliance on district magistrates to invoke emergency powers each summer points to the absence of a standing state-level heat action protocol for schools. Until Bihar — and Indian states broadly — embed heat thresholds into their school calendars proactively, children will continue to bear the administrative lag cost of climate inaction.
NationPress
6 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Which Bihar districts have restricted school timings due to the heatwave?
Patna and Arwal districts have both issued orders restricting school timings amid a severe heatwave, with temperatures exceeding 40°C across Bihar. The restrictions cover government and private schools, pre-schools, Anganwadi centres, and coaching institutes.
Until when are school classes suspended in Patna due to the heatwave?
In Patna, classes for students up to Class 5 are suspended until 26 May 2026. Students in Classes 6 to 8 may attend school only until 10.30 am during this period.
What are the school timing restrictions in Arwal district?
In Arwal, classes for students up to Grade 5 are fully suspended from 22 to 25 May 2026. Students from Classes 6 to 12 are not permitted to attend classes after 11 am. Government residential schools are exempt from these restrictions.
Why have Bihar authorities restricted school hours?
Authorities cited extreme heatwave conditions, with temperatures above 40°C, and warnings from the Bihar Meteorological Service Centre that the heat is likely to persist. The primary health concerns are heatstroke, dehydration, and related illnesses among children.
What legal authority was used to issue the school restriction orders in Patna?
Patna District Magistrate Thiyagarajan S.M. issued the order under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), citing severe heatwave conditions and their potential adverse impact on children's health and safety.
