Heatwave scare: Kerala's educational institutions including professional colleges to remain shut till May 6th

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: A meeting of the Disaster Management Authority has analyzed the worsening summer of the state and tabled the necessary precautions to be taken. The Chief Minister after the meeting announced the government’s decision to temporarily close down all educational institutions including professional colleges till May 6th.

The ongoing vacation classes for students will also be stopped with immediate effect. In a Facebook note, the Chief Minister also stated that daytime parades and drills should be avoided in the training centres of police, fire brigade, other forces, NCC and SPC.

CM’s Facebook post:

Given the rising summer heat in the state, a meeting of the Disaster Management Authority was held to assess the risk of heat waves and analyse the current situation in various districts.

People should avoid direct sun exposure between 11 am and 3 pm. Construction workers, agricultural workers, hawkers, fishermen, and those engaged in other strenuous jobs should adjust their working hours accordingly.

Educational institutions including professional colleges will be closed till May 6. School students should avoid holiday classes from 11 am to 3 pm. Daytime parades and drills should be avoided at training centres of police, fire brigade, other forces, NCC, SPC etc.

Workplaces roofed with asbestos and tin sheets should be closed during the day. People including migrant workers living in these thatched houses should be shifted to camps. Fire audits will be conducted and safety precautions will be taken in fire-prone areas such as markets, buildings, waste collection and storage facilities.

The instructions of the forest department should be followed strictly to avoid forest fire situations. Art and sports competitions/events must not be held between 11 am to 3 pm. Cattle should not be allowed to graze in the midday sun and other domestic animals should not be tied up in the sun. Drinking water should be ensured in places including in tribal habitations.