Bhubaneswar Weather: Odisha continued to reel under intense heat on Wednesday, with Boudh emerging as the hottest place in the state after recording a maximum temperature of 42.7°C. The prevailing heatwave conditions have prompted authorities to extend the summer vacation for schools and anganwadi centres in five districts.

According to officials, educational institutions in Bolangir, Sonepur, Ganjam, Angul and Sundargarh will remain shut until June 20 instead of reopening on June 18. As June 21 falls on a Sunday, schools in these districts are now scheduled to resume classes on June 22.

In neighbouring Nuapada district, authorities have opted for revised school timings rather than a complete closure. An order issued by the District Education Officer stated that classes will be conducted from 6.30 am to 11.30 am between June 18 and June 20 to minimise students’ exposure to the scorching weather.

Schools across Odisha have been closed for the summer break since April 27 this year following a steady rise in temperatures in several parts of the state.

Besides Boudh, several western Odisha towns recorded temperatures above 40°C on Wednesday. Sambalpur registered 41.5°C, followed by Hirakud at 41.4°C, Jharsuguda at 40.8°C, Sonepur at 40.1°C and Titlagarh at 40°C.

The India Meteorological Department’s Bhubaneswar Centre has forecast that heatwave conditions are likely to persist across parts of the state until June 21, with residents advised to take precautions against the extreme weather.