Odisha's New Heat Wave Guidelines: What Students Need to Know

In response to the IMD's forecast of a scorching summer, the Odisha government has introduced a standard operating procedure for heat wave management in educational institutions. This initiative aims to protect the health and well-being of students, faculty, and staff by implementing measures such as rescheduling classes to cooler hours, ensuring access to safe drinking water, and providing first aid for heat-related issues. The guidelines emphasize the importance of hydration and awareness of heat exhaustion symptoms. With temperatures expected to soar, these protocols are crucial for maintaining safety in colleges and universities across the state.

By Narendra Chaudhary Mar 2, 2026, 13:43 IST

New Heat Wave Management Protocols in Odisha

Bhubaneswar: The Odisha government has rolled out a standard operating procedure (SoP) aimed at managing heat waves in colleges and universities statewide, in light of the Indian Meteorological Department's (IMD) forecast of an intense summer ahead.

This directive is intended to ensure that institutions are prepared and take necessary precautions to protect the health and safety of students, faculty, and staff, as stated by the Higher Education Department on Monday.

As per the SoP, educational institutions are encouraged to hold or adjust classes, internal assessments, and exams during the cooler morning hours whenever possible, to minimize student exposure to extreme heat.

Outdoor academic, sports, and extracurricular activities are to be limited during the hottest parts of the afternoon. If such activities are unavoidable, they should be conducted with appropriate safety measures and preferably during cooler times of the day.

All higher education institutions must guarantee the continuous availability of safe drinking water at various locations on campus. Sufficient supplies of oral rehydration salts (ORS) should be kept accessible in classrooms, hostels, common areas, and exam centers.

The SoP also requires the inspection and maintenance of tube wells, hand pumps, and drinking water facilities to ensure a steady water supply throughout the summer.

Colleges and universities are instructed to have basic first aid resources ready to manage heat-related issues such as dehydration and dizziness. Designated personnel should be available to provide immediate help in these situations.

Institution heads are tasked with educating students, faculty, and staff about heat wave safety measures, including the significance of staying hydrated, recognizing early signs of heat exhaustion, and understanding the dos and don'ts during extreme heat. Parents and guardians are also encouraged to remind students to bring water to classes and exams.

This letter has been sent to all public and private universities in the state, as well as all degree colleges under the Higher Education Department, for strict adherence.

The IMD has indicated that temperatures are likely to rise, with daytime highs expected to range from 36 to 38 degrees Celsius in interior districts and 34 to 36 degrees Celsius elsewhere in the state from March 6 to 12.