Sambalpur/Jharsuguda: Amid the ongoing heatwave sweeping several parts of Odisha, authorities in two districts have announced the closure of schools from Monday.

The District Education Officer in Sambalpur has declared a holiday for all schools, including private institutions, from April 20 to 22. Similarly, the Jharsuguda district administration has announced the closure of schools from April 20 to 23.

On Saturday, as many as 10 places in the state recorded maximum day temperatures of 40 degrees Celsius or above. Titilagarh registered the highest temperature at 43.5 degrees Celsius, while Sambalpur and Jharsuguda recorded 41.2 degrees Celsius each.

Earlier, the Subarnapur district administration had also announced the closure of educational institutions from April 18 to 22 due to prevailing heatwave conditions. The school closure announcement have also been made in Nabarangpur, Balangir, Nuapada and Sambalpur districts.

Authorities have taken these measures to ensure the safety and well-being of students amid the intense heatwave gripping the region.