Odisha announces early summer break from April 27 as heatwave intensifies across state Keeping in mind the rising temperatures across the state, the Odisha government has preponed the 2026 summer vacation for all government, government-aided, and private schools to April 27, 2026. This decision was announced by the I & PR Department of the state on behalf of Chief Minister Shri Mohan Charan Majhi. This decision has been taken with the aim of ensuring that students are protected from severe heatwave conditions across the state. "Chief Minister Shri Mohan Charan Majhi has announced an early summer vacation keeping in view the severe heatwave currently sweeping through the state. Keeping the safety of children in mind, the Chief Minister has taken this decision. The Chief Minister has approved the related proposal from the School and Mass Education Department," the official tweet by I & PR Department read. "According to this decision, all government, government-aided, and private schools in the state will remain closed from April 27. However, previously scheduled examinations, census work, and other office tasks will continue as before." Several districts of Odisha have been experiencing extreme heatwave conditions with temperatures soaring to even 44° in some cities. As per reports, as many as 24 cities recorded temperatures above 40°C, underscoring the widespread intensity of the heatwave. For Friday, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a heatwave warning for six districts, Khordha, Keonjhar, Angul, Sambalpur, Jharsuguda, and Bolangir. Additionally, local reports suggest that a yellow warning has been issued for 17 districts. While some reports are claiming that a thunderstorm is predicted for April 26, the government is worried that making students travel to school in such rising temperatures may have a negative impact on students' health. Before announcing early summer vacation, the Odisha government had revised school timings in several districts to ensure children reached home safely before the maximum temperatures of the day were recorded. On March 20, the Odisha government had announced that starting April 2, the classes will be conducted in morning shift due to the prevailing heatwave conditions. Even Anganwadi centres were told to operate from 7 am to 9 am during the summer. Several other states such as Jharkhand, Bihar, UP and more have changed school timings due to the rising temperatures across the country. Get Latest News Live on Times Now along with Breaking News and Top Headlines from Education, CBSE, JEE, UPSC and around the world. Deeksha Teri is currently working as an Assistant Editor at Times Now (Digital), and is primarily covering education and policy from New Delhi, which ... View More