Andhra Pradesh Extends Half-Day School Schedule Till June 24 Amid Heatwave

In response to an ongoing heatwave in Andhra Pradesh, the state government has taken proactive measures to ensure the well-being of students. The School Education Department of Andhra Pradesh has decided to extend the half-day school schedule for an additional week, now continuing until June 24. This decision was made by Commissioner of School Education, Suresh Kumar. Initially, schools in Andhra Pradesh were set to reopen on June 12, 2023, despite requests to delay the reopening. However, considering the extreme heat, the government allowed schools to operate in a half-day mode until June 17.

The extension of the half-day schedule aims to enable students to conclude their academic activities earlier in the day, from 7.30 am to 11.30 am. This arrangement applies to all government and public schools across the state. Recognizing the importance of student well-being during such extreme temperatures, the School Education Department has also made provisions to provide ragi porridge, a nutritious offering, to students from 8.30 am to 9 am. Additionally, a mid-day meal will be served between 11.30 am and 12 pm.

The scorching heatwave continues to grip various parts of Andhra Pradesh, with temperatures exceeding 45 degrees Celsius. On Sunday, Nellimarla Mandal in Vizianagaram district experienced a blistering daytime temperature of 46 degrees Celsius, surpassing the normal average by 4 degrees. Gollaprolu Mandal in Kakinada district recorded a scorching temperature of 45.9 degrees Celsius, while Salur Mandal in Parvathipuram district and Ponduru Mandal in Srikakulam district registered 45.7 degrees Celsius. Across the state, a staggering total of 328 mandals reported heatwave conditions, with temperatures exceeding 40 degrees Celsius.

According to recent forecasts by the India Meteorological Department (IMD), rainfall is expected in Andhra Pradesh in the upcoming days. There have already been reports of rainfall in parts of the state, including Krishna, Guntur, Vijayawada, and NTR districts. As weather patterns shift and rainfall becomes more prevalent, it is hoped that the relief brought by precipitation will alleviate the intense heat and provide much-needed respite to the residents.