Bihar districts shorten school hours as temperatures cross 40°C

As Bihar continues to reel under conditions of intense heat and high temperatures, the district administrations of Patna and Arwal have announced restrictions on school operations to ensure the health and safety of children.

Thiyagarajan SM, District Magistrate, Patna, ordered the suspension of academic activities for students up to class 5 in all government and private schools, including pre-schools and Anganwadi centers, till May 26, 2026.

The regulation further stated that classes for 6th to 8th graders would only be allowed until 10:30 a.m.

The District Magistrate issued the directive under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), citing the severe heat conditions prevailing in the district and possible adverse impact on the health and safety of children.

Also read | Warmer morning in Delhi with minimum temperature of 29°C; the heat wave continues

The district administration has directed the district education officer, Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) officials, lower division officials and police authorities to ensure strict compliance of the order.

In Arwal district, District Magistrate Amrisha Bains also ordered suspension of classes up to Class 5 in all government and private schools, pre-schools, Anganwadi centers and training institutes.

In addition, after 11:00 a.m., academic activities for students in grades 6 to 12 were banned

Restrictions in Arwal district will remain in effect from May 22 to May 25, 2026.

According to the district administration, inputs received from the Bihar Meteorological Services Center in Patna indicate that extreme temperatures and heat conditions are likely to persist in several parts of the state in the coming days.

Authorities said the precautions have become necessary to protect children from health risks associated with excessive heat, including heatstroke, dehydration and related illnesses.

However, government residential schools were exempted from the restrictions imposed in Arwal district.

District administrations in both Patna and Arwal have appealed to parents and guardians to take necessary precautions and not expose children to direct sunlight during peak afternoon hours.

School administrations in both districts have also been instructed to reschedule academic activities in accordance with official orders issued by the authorities.

The prevailing weather conditions have severely affected normal life in several districts of Bihar, with day temperatures remaining above 40°C in most parts of the state. Officials said the situation continues to be closely monitored and further decisions will be taken depending on weather conditions in the coming days.

Meanwhile, talking to ANI, IMD scientist Naresh Kumar said that heat conditions are likely to persist for at least another week in large parts of northwest, central and east India, including Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Rajasthan, Maharashtra, Telangana and Gujarat.

“We expect heat waves to persist in parts of northwest, central and most of eastern India for the next six to seven days. We have issued an ‘orange alert’ for Punjab, Haryana, NCR-Delhi region, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Vidarbha, Coastal Andhra Pradesh and Odisha,” Mr Kumar said.

“We have also issued a ‘red alert’ for East Uttar Pradesh, East Madhya Pradesh and certain parts of Vidarbha for the next three days,” he added.

(With inputs from IANS and ANI)

Published – 22 May 2026 11:44 IST