DHARAMSHALA: Unprecedented heat has gripped Himachal Pradesh, causing temperatures to soar even in typically snowy areas. The Meteorological Centre, Shimla, has issued a yellow alert for a heatwave across seven districts, predicting scorching conditions for the next five days.
Since May 15, the state has seen a record rise in maximum temperatures daily and the bright sunshine is expected until May 26. In response, authorities in affected districts have adjusted school timings to protect students and staff.
In Kangra district, all private and government schools will now open at 7.30 am and close at 1 pm. This change was mandated by Kangra Deputy Commissioner Hemaj Bairwa to help mitigate the effects of the extreme heat on students.
Bilaspur district has also altered its school schedule due to the intense heat. Government and private schools will operate from 8 am to 2 pm, as per a notification issued by Deputy Commissioner Abid Hussain Sadiq.
The new timings will take effect from Tuesday (May 21, 2024). Additionally, the Regional Manager of HRTC Bilaspur has been asked to reschedule bus timings for the convenience of students and teachers.
The Meteorological Department’s heatwave alert extends to Una, Bilaspur, Hamirpur, Solan, Sirmaur, Kangra and Shimla districts. Severe heatwave has been specifically forecasted for Una, Bilaspur, Hamirpur, Solan (including Nalagarh, Baddi and Parwanoo), Sirmaur (including Dhaulakuan and Paonta Sahib) and Kangra (including Gaggal, Noorpur, Indora, Fatehpur, Dehra and Jaswan).
The state’s average maximum temperature is expected to rise by 2 to 3 degrees Celsius, staying significantly higher than normal during this period. The residents have been advised to stay hydrated, avoid direct sunlight during peak hours and take necessary precautions to cope with the intense heat.
