Heat wave: Delhi govt asks schools to close

With New Delhi reeling under an intense heat wave, the city government on Thursday asked schools to declare their summer vacations from May 1.

An order to this effect was issued by the Directorate of Education, which said that Delhi has been experiencing a severe heat wave as the temperature rose to 43.5 degrees Celsius on Wednesday, the highest for the month of April in last 50 years.

"All schools are advised to close for the summer vacation from May 1st or May 2nd," the order said.

The maximum was five degrees above normal in this period of time. This was the first time in 50 years that the mercury touched 43.5 degrees Celsius in April. In 1958, the maximum had touched 43.8 degrees Celsius in April.

The all-time record for maximum temperature in this month was recorded on April 29, 1941 when the mercury touched 45.6 degrees Celsius.

The Weatherman has also warned of the intense heat wave continuing in the city in the coming days.

Meanwhile, an NGO has also sought early summer vacations.

The Uday Foundation for Congenital Defects and Rare Blood Groups said that children would be the worst affected by the intense heat, with chances of them developing skin infections, upper respiratory tract infections due to the weather conditions.