Jaipur, April 22 (IANS) Amid rising temperatures and intensifying heatwave conditions, the Jaipur district administration has taken a key step to protect students from extreme heat by revising school timings across the district.

District Collector Sandesh Nayak announced that, with effect from April 27, schools will operate from 7:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. The revised schedule applies to students from pre-primary to Class 8 and is aimed at shielding children from harsh afternoon conditions and prolonged exposure to heat.

The decision was taken following a meeting with education department officials, during which the Collector directed strict compliance with the revised timings and warned that any violations could invite action under the provisions of the Disaster Management Act.

Officials emphasised that the move prioritises the health and safety of children at a time when temperatures are continuing to rise and heatwave conditions are likely to intensify in the coming days.

By shifting school hours to the morning, the administration aims to significantly reduce students’ exposure to intense sunlight and hot winds, commonly referred to as ‘loo’ in the region.

The heat has intensified across Rajasthan over the past few days. Chittorgarh recorded the highest daytime temperature, while Barmer reported the warmest night temperature during the same period.

More than 10 districts have already recorded temperatures crossing the 40 degrees Celsius mark, affecting daily life and causing considerable discomfort, particularly for school-going children and vulnerable sections.

According to the Meteorological Centre in Jaipur, clear sky conditions are expected to prevail over the next four to five days, with temperatures likely to increase by a further 2 degrees C during this period.

A heatwave has been forecast in several districts between April 23 and April 25, with conditions expected to remain severe in parts of the state.

In the Jodhpur division, gusty winds with speeds of 20–30 km per hour are expected on April 22 and April 23, although these are unlikely to bring any significant relief from the prevailing heat.

The impact of the rising temperatures is already evident in Jaipur, where strong sunlight and high humidity levels have made conditions uncomfortable throughout the day as well as during the night.

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has warned that several districts in eastern and western Rajasthan will continue to face severe heat conditions.

Cities such as Bharatpur, Dholpur, Alwar, Kota, Bikaner, and Sri Ganganagar are expected to record temperatures above 40 degrees in the coming days.

Given these prevailing weather conditions, the administration’s decision to revise school timings is being seen as a timely and necessary measure, offering relief to students and parents while prioritising safety.

–IANS

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