The Punjab government has made the decision to close all public and private schools in the province from May 25 to May 31 in order to protect pupils from the forecasted heatwave that would cause temperatures to skyrocket.
The Meteorological Department issued a warning last Thursday that severe heatwaves will affect much of the nation over the next few days. In the northern regions of the country, the department also predicted dust storms, thunderstorms, and heavy rain.
The advice had warned that majority of the country will experience heatwave conditions due to high pressure in the upper atmosphere, with Punjab and Sindh seeing particularly severe heatwave conditions from May 21 to May 27.
The Punjab provincial administration decided today to close schools for seven days in response to the recommendation.
Exams would still be conducted “as scheduled,” with “necessary precautions to ensure the safety of students,” according to a notification it released.
The Punjab government last week changed the dates of all public and private schools from May 18 to May 31. This led to the decision to temporarily close the schools.
Additionally, it had directed school administrators to make sure that fans were operational, water coolers were available, and no student was forced to spend the summer in an open area or on the school grounds.
In accordance with PDMA Punjab’s directives, the Health Department additionally released a heatwave advisory. “There is a severe risk of heat wave in Punjab from May 21 to May 27,” a PDMA representative stated.
The South Punjab districts of Bahawalpur, Rahim Yar Khan, Dera Ghazi Khan, and Multan were expected to experience extreme heat, according to the PDMA. As a result, hospitals were instructed to set up heatwave counters and make sure that the necessary medications were available.
According to DG PDMA Irfan Ali Khan, print, electronic, and social media are used to alert the public about the risks associated with heat waves. He went on, “By cooperating and working together, all departments can fight the heat wave.”
The public is urged to take preventative measures, according to DG PDMA, who also stated that the heat wave is predicted to endure for at least ten days.
He said, “Avoid exertion and exercise in strong sunlight.” “Avoid leaving the house unnecessarily. Wear clothing made of light colors.” In an emergency, he advised the people to dial Rescue 1122 or PDMA Helpline 1129.
Due to the heat wave, Punjab Education Minister Rana Sikander Hayat declared a break for all educational institutions starting on May 25.
Hayat issued a warning, saying that any school disobeying the directive would face consequences. In his statement, he made no mention of when schools will return.
Punjab decided to close its schools one day after Sindh decided to move the province’s matriculation exams from May 21 to May 27.
The decision was made “in the wake of the heat wave alert issued by the NDMA & PDMA,” according to the notification that was sent on Sunday.
The statement states, “The SSC Part I and II 1st Annual Examination, scheduled to be held from May 21 to May 27 2024 are hereby postponed,” and it goes on to say that the tests will resume on May 28.
The revised timetable, which states that exams will now take place from May 28 to May 31, was released by the Sindh government today.
The average temperature in Sindh is expected to rise by 2 to 8°C. Met Dept.
In the meantime, a revised Met Office prognosis released on Monday indicated that, depending on the region, temperatures throughout the province will be 2–8°C higher than typical.
It further said that Karachi division would have temperatures ranging from 35°C to 38°C throughout the course of the following three days.
The advice stated that Dadu, Larkana, and Shaheed Benazirabad would have temperatures as high as 8°C above average during the three days of “hot and humid” weather.
With a maximum temperature of 48.5°C on Saturday, Shaheed Benazirabad registered the highest temperature in Sindh for the weekend.
Health experts urged the government to guarantee that the public has access to clean water, gas, and electricity so they can protect themselves from the heatwave. The province administration convened a high-level conference on Friday to evaluate the situation and develop a plan to combat the heatwave.
Sindh has been alerted to a heat wave
Additionally, PDMA Sindh issued a heat wave advisory on Monday, advising the public and law enforcement to exercise caution due to the extreme heat.
Deputy Commissioners and District Disaster Management Authorities have been directed to make certain that all public and private hospitals have heatstroke treatment centers available, as well as to provide cold water and medication to individuals experiencing heat-related illnesses.
District level officials were also given instructions to work with national organizations in order to assist individuals who are traveling great distances and to proactively check for natural calamities like forest fires.
The general population was urged to stay hydrated, shield their heads when outside, and stay out of the sun between 11:00 am and 3 pm.
Additionally, first aid instructions for managing heatstroke were provided. In order to prevent the loss of electrolytes, citizens have been encouraged to treat others by moistening their skin, submerging them in water, or, if they are able to drink, providing them with lassi, cool water, or drinks that include salts like Oral Rehydration Salts. People were advised to get medical advice after providing first aid.
