Heatwave Shuts Schools in Kamrup Metro District
In a critical move to protect students from extreme heat, the Assam government has ordered all schools in the Kamrup Metro district, including Guwahati city, to close from September 24 to September 27, 2024. The district elementary education officer (DEEO) issued the notice, citing numerous reports of students fainting and experiencing ill-health due to severe heat and dehydration. The authorities hope this will safeguard students from further harm caused by the soaring temperatures.
Rising Temperatures Spark School Closures
The official notice emphasizes that the decision was made following reports from school heads about students’ health problems caused by the excessive heat. “With the District Commissioner’s approval, it has been decided that all government, provincialized, and private schools will remain closed due to extreme heat conditions,” the DEEO said. This swift action underscores the district’s commitment to student well-being amidst one of the most severe heatwaves Assam has witnessed in recent years.
The heatwave is not isolated to Kamrup Metro district alone. Last week, school hours in Cachar, Barpeta, and other districts were adjusted in response to the prolonged heatwave. Starting early and ending classes sooner helped mitigate the effects of the heat, but with temperatures continuing to rise, more drastic measures were required. The DEEO highlighted the importance of these steps, saying, “This decision prioritizes student health by protecting them from the dangers of heat exposure.”
Assam Records Unprecedented Temperatures in September
The relentless heatwave has shattered previous temperature records in Assam. On September 23, Guwahati reached a scorching 37.9°C, nearly 6°C higher than the norm. The minimum temperature hovered at 28.2°C, also well above normal levels. Temperatures across Assam fluctuated between 36.1°C and 39.3°C on Monday, a stark 7°C to 9°C above average. While a brief respite came with heavy rainfall later that evening, it was not enough to significantly cool the region.
According to the Regional Meteorological Centre (RMC), Assam’s capital city, Guwahati, and nearby areas can expect cloudy skies, with intermittent rainfall and thunderstorms in the coming days. However, the RMC warns that the temperatures are likely to remain above average despite the forecasted showers. Cities like Dibrugarh, Jorhat, and North Lakhimpur also broke temperature records, with Dibrugarh reaching a sweltering 39.5°C and Jorhat not far behind at 37.9°C.
Northeast India Shares Assam’s Struggle with the Heat
The extreme heat has not spared the rest of Northeast India. Meghalaya’s capital, Shillong, and Cherrapunjee registered temperatures of 29.9°C and 32.5°C, respectively, on Monday. Meanwhile, Itanagar in Arunachal Pradesh recorded 28.3°C, with similar conditions reported in Imphal, Manipur, and Agartala, Tripura. Nagaland’s capital, Dimapur, hit 30°C, while Mizoram’s capital, Aizawl, saw temperatures rise dramatically as well. These regions, accustomed to moderate weather, are struggling under the weight of this prolonged heatwave.
As Assam grapples with this historic heatwave, authorities are working to minimize the impact on daily life and student safety. The closure of schools in Kamrup Metro, including Guwahati, marks a necessary precaution during this sweltering period. Despite brief rainfall and some cloud cover expected in the coming days, temperatures are set to remain abnormally high across the region. The government and meteorologists are closely monitoring the situation, with hopes that more substantial relief will come soon.
Also Read: Mizoram on the Verge of Relief: Critical Repairs on NH-6 Near Completion
