Dehradun, Apr 15 (PTI) All schools in Uttarakhand will introduce a ‘water bell’ to ensure hydration at regular intervals for students as temperatures continue to rise across the state.
The directive was
issued by Chief Secretary Anand Bardhan on Wednesday during a high-level meeting to review heat wave preparedness, according to an official release. He instructed that student health must remain the top priority during the summer months.
Bardhan instructed officials to adjust school timings as needed and ensure proper ventilation in all classrooms. He also ordered schools to maintain adequate stocks of ORS and essential medicines.
The chief secretary further directed schools to provide practical information to students on protecting themselves from heatstroke.
District magistrates have been asked to impose a temporary ban on construction activities in areas facing water scarcity. Bardhan asked officials to ensure availability of pure drinking water at bus stands and marketplaces, according to the directive.
All departments from state to village level must work in a coordinated and active manner to tackle heat challenges, he said. He directed each district to prepare a heat action plan and identify hotspots for special monitoring.
Hospitals have been instructed to remain prepared to handle heat-related illnesses. The directive comes as Uttarakhand witnesses a steady rise in mercury levels, mirroring the trend across north India.
Dehradun recorded a maximum temperature of 35.4 degrees Celsius on Wednesday, three notches above normal. The temperature stood at 33.6 degrees Celsius on Tuesday.
The Dehradun Meteorological Centre predicted a further rise of one to three degrees Celsius in maximum temperatures across the state over the next four to five days. PTI DPT AKY PRK
