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Ganjam: Amid continuing sultry weather conditions, the Ganjam administration on Monday announced the closure of all schools and anganwadi centres for three days from April 21.

The decision was taken to ensure safety of students from health risks due to the sweltering heat.

However, examinations will be conducted as per the guidelines of OSEPA. Schools have been directed to make necessary arrangements at examination centres, including availability of drinking water, ORS (oral rehydration solution), and mandatory first-aid facilities to tackle heat-related emergencies.

The administration further clarified that student enrolment will continue during the closure period.

Similar precautionary steps have also taken by administrations in 12 other districts – Sambalpur, Jharsuguda, Nuapada, Nabarangpur, Boudh, Balangir, Sonepur, Mayurbhanj, Kalahandi, Khurda, Deogarh and Angul, where schools and anganwadi centres were shut for around three to four days.

On Sunday, the mercury soared past 40°C mark at 14 places across the state, with as many as 5 of those recording temperatures of 42°C and beyond. Jharsuguda in western Odisha recorded the day’s highest temperature of 43.3°C in the state, followed by Titilagarh at 43°C, Sonepur at 42.3°C, Bhawanipatna and Sambalpur at 42°C each.

While sultry weather condition persists in coastal districts of Balasore, Bhadrak, Jajpur, Kendrapada, Cuttack, Jagatsinghpur, Puri, Khurda, Nayagarh, Ganjam and Gajapati till April 24, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) has warned of heatwave conditions in Jharsuguda and Balangir for three days from April 22. Warn night warning has also been issued for Sundargarh, Balangir & Sambalpur on April 20 and Angul, Kandhamal, Sundargarh, Balangir & Sambalpur on April 21-22.