Delhi schools continue classes amidst alarming heat wave: DoE issues circular asking them to close for summer vacation immediately

Amidst rising heatwaves, schools across various states in the country including Punjab, Haryana, Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan among others have declared early commencement of summer vacations this year. Delhi, like many other North Indian states, is also experiencing soaring temperatures which can pose serious health hazards for students. Anticipating weather conditions like this, the Directorate of Education (DoE) had issued a circular on Dec 11 2023, which mandated that all Delhi schools should observe summer vacation from May 11 to June 30 in the academic year 2024-25.However, it was noted that some government-aided and unaided recognized private schools remained open despite this directive. This necessitated the Delhi government to issue a circular on Monday, 20th May, for these schools to shut for summer vacation immediately.
The official notice states, “All the government schools are closed w.e.f. 11.05.24. However, it has been observed that some of the Govt. Aided and Unaided Recognized Private Schools are still open during the ongoing severe heat waves. Therefore, all the heads of government-aided and unaided recognized private schools in Delhi are advised to close the schools for summer vacation with immediate effect”.
Read the official notice here.
Heatwave conditions in Delhi
Delhi and the surrounding National Capital Region (NCR) have been affected by a severe heatwave in recent days, with Najafgarh in southwest Delhi recording 47.8 degrees Celsius, the highest in the country so far this season. On Sunday, the average temperature in the city was 44.4 degrees Celsius, up from 43.6 degrees Celsius on Saturday and 42.5 degrees Celsius on Friday. That is why, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) issued a red alert for the national capital on 19th May, forecasting that the temperatures are likely to range between 28 to 44 degree Celsius. A red warning indicates that local agencies must act to prevent extreme heat-related emergencies.
Heat conditions in other parts of India
In a post on X, IMD stated, “Heatwave to severe heatwave conditions most likely to continue over plains of Northwest India and Heatwave conditions over north Madhya Pradesh & Gujarat State during next 5 days.”

Many parts of Punjab, Haryana, Chandigarh, Delhi and Rajasthan, as well as heatwave conditions in some places in Uttar Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh, Odisha, Saurashtra, and Kutch are going to experience heatwave to severe heatwave conditions on May 23, warns IMD.
Naresh Kumar, a senior scientist at IMD, has reportedly stated that the ongoing heatwave conditions are likely to continue for the next week. Kumar has been quoted by ANI saying, “Generally, May is considered the hottest month. If there is no rainfall activity in North India, then the temperature normally crosses 45 degrees Celsius.” “It is forecast that this situation will prevail for the next week. This scenario will continue for the next 5 days in Rajasthan, Punjab, and Haryana. We have issued a red alert. A heatwave situation will exist in UP for the next 3-4 days. Heatwaves will also prevail in North MP. We have issued an orange alert for the region,” he added.
Early commencement of summer vacation across schools in India
Here is the list of states where summer vacations are beginning earlier than usual:
Punjab-May 21 to June 3
Haryana- June 1 to June 30
Madhya Pradesh- May 1 to June 15
Gujarat- May 9 to June 12
Rajasthan- May 17 to June 30