Heat wave alert: The Punjab Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) has alerted the School Education and Higher Education Departments about an impending severe heatwave, advising immediate precautions to protect students and staff
The Punjab Provincial Disaster Management Authority has issued a letter to commissioners and deputy commissioners for taking precautionary measures in view of the coming heatwave.
They advise changing hours of schools and universities, and possibly even announcing early summer vacations if the rise in temperatures continues.
Education institutions should provide clean drinking water and encourage students to wear light, loose-fitting garments.
Prolonged exposure to extreme heat can take a serious toll on children’s health, particularly in crowded classrooms, officials say.
The Met Office predicting above-normal temperatures has led to the PDMA releasing guidelines.
The deputy commissioners shall also ensure the availability of heatwave protection facilities at public places and the School Education Department will ban all outdoor activities during the peak hours of heat.
Farmers will be sensitized to the impacts of heatwaves while awareness banners will come up at bus stands and railway stations.
Extreme heat scenarios are predicted for most major cities, plains, and districts in south Punjab this month, with a rise in temperature of 4-7°C. PDMA’s goal is to ensure least risk of disasters through multispectral approaches and effective execution.
