Odisha govt suspends UG, PG classes due to heatwave

In view of prevailing heatwave conditions in the state, the Odisha government on Tuesday announced temporary suspension of classroom teaching in all higher education institutions from Wednesday.

Classroom teaching of both undergraduate and post graduate courses in all higher education institutions coming under the jurisdiction of the Higher Education Department of Odisha will remain suspended from April 27 to May 2, Higher Education Department principal secretary, Saswat Mishra said in a letter.

However, other activities such as examination, evaluation, administrative work, research work, among others, will continue as usual, he said.

Teaching and non-teaching employees have been asked to remain present in their respective institution, as in case of a normal working day, to perform examination, administrative and other activities during the holiday period.

Earlier, the state government had announced summer vacation of the colleges and public universities for a short period from June 1 to June 16 to compensate for the academic days lost on account of Covid-19 pandemic.

Notably, the state government has already closed down all schools and anganwadi centres for five days from Tuesday due to rise in day temperature.

According to Bhubaneswar Meteorological Centre, at least 27 places in Odisha have recorded a maximum temperature of 40 degrees Celsius or above on Monday, of which eight weather stations recorded a temperature of 43 degrees Celsius or more.

Jharsuguda town of western Odisha recorded a maximum temperature of 40.4 degrees Celsius on Tuesday till 11.30 a.m.

The prevailing heatwave condition is likely to prevail at many places across the state during the next four-five days, it said.