Odisha Schools Shut Early: Summer Vacation from April 27 Amid Heatwave
Synopsis
With temperatures touching 44°C in parts of Odisha and heatstroke cases rising, CM Mohan Charan Majhi has ordered all schools shut from April 27 — a decision that highlights how climate-driven extreme heat is now directly reshaping India's education calendar and public administration priorities.
Key Takeaways
Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi announced early summer vacation for all schools in Odisha , effective April 27, 2025 .
The closure applies to all government, government-aided, and private schools across the state; scheduled exams will continue as planned.
Jharsuguda and Talcher recorded the highest temperatures at 44 degrees Celsius each; at least 24 towns crossed 40°C on April 24.
The IMD, Bhubaneswar has issued a yellow warning for severe heatwave conditions in Bolangir, Jharsuguda, Sambalpur, Keonjhar , and Khordha .
The state government has also halted census work between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. to protect enumerators from extreme heat.
The IMD forecasts no significant temperature drop for the next three days , with a relief of 2–3°C expected thereafter.
Bhubaneswar, April 24: Amid a relentless and severe heatwave gripping Odisha, Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi on Friday, April 24, ordered an early summer vacation for all schools across the state, effective April 27, 2025. The decision covers all government, government-aided, and private schools in Odisha and was approved following a formal proposal by the School and Mass Education Department. The move prioritises the safety and health of students as temperatures breach dangerous thresholds across the state.
What the Government Decided
Chief Minister Majhi greenlit the school closure proposal after mounting concern over student welfare during the ongoing extreme heat spell. All schools — regardless of management type — will remain shut from April 27 until further notice or the regular resumption date.
Importantly, the order does not affect previously scheduled examinations, census-related work, or other official activities, which will proceed as planned. This nuanced approach ensures that academic milestones are not disrupted while shielding children from dangerous outdoor exposure during peak heat hours.
Scorching Temperatures Across Odisha
Odisha is currently in the grip of one of its most intense early-summer heat spells in recent years. As many as 24 towns recorded maximum temperatures above 40 degrees Celsius on Thursday, April 24. Jharsuguda and Talcher topped the charts at a searing 44 degrees Celsius each.
By 11:30 a.m. on Friday, Jharsuguda had already crossed 40 degrees Celsius, with several other districts hovering close to the same mark. The state capital Bhubaneswar has also been experiencing temperatures well above 40 degrees Celsius, severely disrupting daily life.
Streets across the state have worn a deserted look post 11 a.m., as residents largely remain indoors to escape the oppressive heat. Heatstroke cases are being reported from multiple locations, adding urgency to the government's response.
IMD Warning and Forecast
The India Meteorological Department (IMD), Bhubaneswar, in its latest bulletin, warned that no significant drop in maximum temperatures is expected over the next three days. However, the agency forecasts a relief of 2–3 degrees Celsius in temperatures thereafter.
The IMD has issued a yellow warning for severe heatwave conditions at isolated locations in the districts of Bolangir, Jharsuguda, Sambalpur, Keonjhar, and Khordha. Residents in these areas have been urged to take precautions and avoid outdoor exposure during peak afternoon hours.
Broader Government Response
Even before the state-wide school closure was announced, several District Collectors had independently suspended school classes in their respective regions due to the heatwave. The central government order now formalises and standardises this response across all of Odisha.
In a parallel measure aimed at protecting field workers, the Odisha state government has also suspended census enumeration work between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. — the hottest window of the day — to safeguard the safety of enumerators conducting door-to-door surveys.
Impact on Students, Families, and Public Health
The early vacation will directly benefit millions of school-going children across Odisha, sparing them from the risk of heat exhaustion and heatstroke during their daily commute and school hours. For working parents, however, the sudden closure may necessitate emergency childcare arrangements.
This development also underscores a growing pattern across Indian states — Rajasthan, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, and others have similarly advanced school holidays in recent years due to extreme heat events, reflecting the deepening impact of climate change on public administration and education calendars. Notably, the frequency and intensity of heatwaves in eastern and central India have increased significantly over the past decade, according to IMD long-term data.
With the IMD predicting no immediate temperature relief for at least three more days, authorities are expected to remain on high alert. Citizens, especially the elderly, children, and outdoor workers, are advised to stay hydrated, avoid direct sun exposure between 11 a.m. and 4 p.m., and seek immediate medical attention in case of heat-related symptoms. Schools are expected to resume once temperatures recede to safer levels, likely in alignment with the state's standard summer vacation schedule.
Point of View
Not ad hoc. More critically, as heatwaves intensify year after year across central and eastern India, the absence of a national heat action framework for schools remains a glaring policy failure that no government — state or central — has yet addressed comprehensively.
NationPress
1 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
When will schools reopen in Odisha after the heatwave closure?
Odisha schools will remain closed from April 27, 2025, as part of an early summer vacation announced due to the heatwave. The exact reopening date will depend on temperature conditions and the state's standard summer vacation schedule.
Which districts in Odisha have a heatwave yellow warning?
The IMD has issued a yellow warning for severe heatwave conditions in Bolangir, Jharsuguda, Sambalpur, Keonjhar, and Khordha districts. Residents in these areas are advised to avoid outdoor exposure during peak afternoon hours.
Will Odisha school exams be affected by the early summer vacation?
No, previously scheduled examinations will continue as per their original timetable despite the school closure order. The early summer vacation applies to regular classes but not to examinations or official activities.
What is the highest temperature recorded in Odisha during this heatwave?
Jharsuguda and Talcher recorded the highest temperatures at 44 degrees Celsius each on Thursday, April 24, 2025. At least 24 towns in Odisha recorded temperatures above 40 degrees Celsius on the same day.
What other measures has the Odisha government taken during the heatwave?
Besides closing schools, the Odisha government has suspended census enumeration work between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. to protect field enumerators from heat exposure. District Collectors had also independently suspended school classes in several regions before the state-wide order.
