Jaipur administration cuts school hours due to heat

Due to the intense heat conditions, Jaipur Collector Krishna Kunal Wednesday asked primary and middle schools to run the institutions only during morning hours for classes one to eight from May 1.

Extreme heat conditions prevailed across Rajasthan with Ganganagar recording a maximum of 45.6 degrees Celsius Wednesday.

Churu and Bikaner sizzled at 45.3 and 44.5 degrees Celsius, respectively, while Barmer, Kota, Bikaner and Jaipur recorded maximum of 44.8, 44.6, 44.5 and 43.9 degrees Celsius, respectively, according to the Met department.

For the past three days, the maximum temperature has remained above 40 degrees Celsius in Jaipur. The maximum temperature recorded Wednesday was 43.9 degrees, highest for this summer season so far.

Concerned over the scorching heat, the parents' welfare society had asked the district administration to change timings.

"Primary and upper primary schools will run in morning shift between 7 a.m. and 12 noon from May 1 onwards, owing to extreme hot weather condition in the city. The head of institutions have been asked not to hold classes after 12 noon," said a statement released by the district collector.

The order is meant for both government and private schools.

"The administration will take action against schools and management if they flout the order," the statement warned.