The Education Department has directed educational institutions in parts of Garo Hills to temporarily close during the ongoing heat wave.
Temperatures in Tura touched 35.4 degrees Celsius today, with Resubelpara and Baghmara recording 37 degrees.
West Garo Hills Deputy Commissioner in an advisory stated that all primary, middle, secondary and higher secondary school activities should be called off during the hours of 8am to 3pm from Wednesday to Friday. However, evening/night schools will continue as scheduled.
West Garo Hills is the worst-affected district, Education Minister Rakkam Sangma informed today and advisories have been issued to educational institutes to shut in this district along with South Garo Hills.
The minister said that climate change, which will not only create heat waves but affect water supply as well, is a global issue and policies and ideas regarding the environment should be explored.
The heat wave has increased the risk of heat stroke, dehydration and other heat-related illnesses that cannot be ignored, the DC added in the advisory.
