Why have academic activities up to Class 8 been suspended in Patna?
Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- Academic activities up to Class 8 suspended in Patna.
- Health risks from extreme cold prioritized by authorities.
- Classes for higher grades permitted only during specific hours.
- Minimum temperatures expected to fall further.
- Community urged to take precautions against cold weather.
Patna, Dec 23 (NationPress) Due to the severe cold wave affecting Patna, the district authorities have decided to halt academic activities for students up to Class 8 until Friday.
Patna District Magistrate Tyagarajan S.M. stated that the ongoing low temperatures present a significant health risk to children.
Utilizing powers granted under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), 2023, the District Magistrate has mandated the suspension of academic activities for all government and private institutions, including pre-schools and Anganwadi centres, in the Patna district.
According to the directive, educational activities for classes beyond standard 8 may proceed only between 10:00 a.m. and 3:30 p.m.
School administrations have been instructed to adjust their schedules accordingly.
Exempt from this order are special classes and assessments related to pre-board and board examinations.
This order will be effective in the Patna district from Tuesday through Friday, continuing from a previous directive issued on December 19.
Patna recorded a maximum temperature of 17 degrees Celsius and a minimum of 10 degrees Celsius on Tuesday.
Harsh cold conditions persisted across most regions of Bihar on Tuesday, attributed to thick fog and ongoing westerly winds.
In six districts, the minimum temperature plunged below 10 degrees Celsius, leading to cold wave-like conditions in various parts of South Bihar.
The Meteorological Department has warned that minimum temperatures could drop by 2 to 4 degrees Celsius over the next couple of days.
Persistent westerly winds hindered any significant alleviation of the cold.
Rajgir in the Nalanda district recorded the lowest minimum temperature in the state at 6.6 degrees Celsius.
A notable temperature drop was also observed in Gaya, where morning visibility decreased to just 50 meters, severely impacting road and rail traffic.
Dense to moderate fog is expected to linger during morning hours for the next two days.
Conversely, maximum temperatures may rise by 1 to 4 degrees Celsius during the day as sunlight increases.
Currently, minimum temperatures across the state range from 6.6 to 12.7 degrees Celsius, while maximum temperatures vary from 15.3 to 20.0 degrees Celsius.
The extreme cold and fog have created significant challenges for children, the elderly, and daily wage workers, especially in the mornings.
The state Health Department has recommended that individuals dress warmly, limit outdoor activities during early mornings and evenings, and take special precautions to safeguard children and the elderly from cold-related ailments.