Telangana: Schools told to start from 8 am

Hyderabad: The Telangana state government has directed schools not to hold classes between noon and 4 pm due to the scorching heat. Schools have been asked to operate between 8 am and noon till April 23, when they will close for summer vacations.

District collectors have been asked to review the conditions daily and to take suitable measures to reduce heat-related casualties. Collectors have also been asked to stop RTC bus services from noon to 4 pm wherever required depending on the temperatures.

The government issued instructions to the State Disaster Management Authority to this effect on Thursday and asked it to ensure strict implementation by taking the help of district collectors. State board, CBSE and ICSE schools have to follow these rules.

However, 2,400 state board schools, in which SSC exams are currently being held, will get exemption till April 6. These schools will be allowed to function after noon. There are 14,000 schools in the state.

The internal circular by the government mandates collectors to review education, health, transport and animal husbandry issues on a day-to-day basis to assess the impact of the heat and to take measures to mitigate the same.

They have been asked to set up special wards to treat sunstroke patients in all hospitals and to set up 104 toll-free helpline desks to assist people besides keeping 108 ambulance ready at key locations. ollectors have also been asked to provide required medical facilities in long distance buses.