Bhubaneswar: In view of heat wave warnings issued by the Regional Meteorological Centre, the Odisha government has asked schools to conduct morning classes from April 2.

Informing about the government’s decision, School and Mass Education Minister Samir Ranjan Dash today stated the morning classes will be held for Class I to VIII from 6:30 AM to 10 AM. Classes for students of Class IX and X will be conducted from 7 AM till 11 AM.

The decision on morning classes has been taken keeping in view the heat wave warnings, the Minister added.

Earlier in the day, the Regional Meteorological Centre issued heat wave warning for several districts of Odisha for March 31 and April 1.

The day temperature is very likely to rise gradually by 2 to 3 degrees Celsius during the next two days. Maximum temperature is very likely to be above normal by 3 to 5°C at many places over the districts of interior Odisha during the next 3-4 days, the centre added.

March 31: Heat wave condition likely to occur at one or two places over the districts of Bargarh, Bolangir, Sonepur, Boudh, Kalahandi, Angul and Sambalpur.

April 1: Heat wave condition likely to occur at one or two places over the districts of Bargarh, Bolangir, Sonepur, Boudh, Kalahandi, Angul and Sambalpur.

The Meteorological Centre has advised people of the districts to take precautionary measures while going outside between 12 noon and 3 PM.