Amidst a severe heatwave in Tripura, the government has mandated the closure of all schools from April 24 to 27, revealed an official statement on Wednesday.

According to an IMD bulletin, the state witnessed temperatures of 37 degrees Celsius, surpassing the normal levels by about 3 degrees Celsius. Predictions suggest the mercury may rise further, reaching 39 degrees Celsius by the week’s end.

N C Sharma, Additional Secretary in the Education (School) Department, confirmed the decision, stating, “All schools, including government, government-aided, and private, will remain closed during this period.”

Highlighting the gravity of the situation, another official described the ongoing heatwave as a state-specific disaster, expected to persist for several days. District authorities were instructed to raise awareness among the public and activate emergency centers and response teams.

Moreover, the Revenue department issued an advisory urging people to avoid outdoor activities, especially between 10 am and 3 pm, to mitigate the risks associated with the scorching temperatures.

The closure of schools is a proactive measure to ensure the safety and well-being of students and staff amidst the intense heatwave conditions gripping the region.