Div Com Rejects Calls for Extended Summer Vacation in J&K
Srinagar, July 26: A relentless heatwave continued to grip both Kashmir and Jammu regions with the main cities of the two regions – Srinagar and Jammu city recording identical maximum temperatures of 35.2 degrees Celsius on Friday.
This marks an unusual weather pattern, as both cities typically experience distinct climatic conditions. The Meteorological Department (MeT) has forecast thunderstorms at isolated places in Kashmir over the next 24 hours.
The maximum temperature recorded on Friday in Srinagar was 35.2 degrees Celsius, Qazigund 32.2 degrees Celsius, Pahalgam 29.9 degrees Celsius, Kupwara 34.7 degrees Celsius, Kokernag 33.1 degrees Celsius, Gulmarg 25.7 degrees Celsius, and Jammu 35.2 degrees Celsius.
From July 26 to 27, brief spells of rain or thundershowers are expected at isolated places in the Kashmir division while light to moderate rain or thundershowers are predicted at scattered locations in the Jammu division.
From July 28 to 31, generally, cloudy skies with intermittent spells of light to moderate rain or thundershowers are expected at scattered to fairly widespread places in the Kashmir division while widespread light to moderate rain or thundershowers are anticipated in the Jammu division.
From August 1 to 4, weather is likely to be generally cloudy with spells of intermittent light to moderate rain or thundershowers at many locations in the Kashmir division while most areas in the Jammu division would experience light to moderate rain or thundershowers.
There is a possibility of intense showers for brief periods, leading to potential landslides, mudslides, and shooting stones over vulnerable places.
Some areas of the Jammu Division might experience heavy rainfall. A significant drop in daytime temperatures is expected from July 29 onwards. The unusually high temperatures have affected life in Kashmir where residents often experience relatively moderate temperatures and pleasant weather.
The School Education Department (SED) in Kashmir has changed the daily school timings to start from 8 am till 1 pm. The day temperatures were equally hot in other parts of Kashmir including Kupwara in north Kashmir and Qazigund in south Kashmir.
Meanwhile, Amid the demand over the announcement of another summer vacation for schools, Divisional Commissioner Kashmir, Vijay Kumar Bidhuri Friday said that there was no scope for announcement of summer vacations again for the schools in Kashmir.
Talking to reporters during his visit to Pratap Park in Srinagar, the divisional commissioner said that if parents felt that the heat wave was becoming unbearable and their children could not cope with it, there would be no issue with the child’s attendance during this period.
“We have to consider many factors like ensuring the entire syllabus is completed. We have already changed the school timings and fixed it from 8 am to 1 pm. The decision was taken considering the rising temperature,” he said.
However, Bidhuri said that many parents were now saying that their children were not getting enough sleep. “Currently, we are discussing the heatwave, but once winter arrives, there will be demands for early announcement of winter vacations. We have to take care of everything: the children’s well-being, the curriculum, and all other factors associated with the students,” he said.
The Directorate of School Education in Kashmir and Jammu divisions ordered changes in the school timings for all government and private recognised schools up to the higher secondary level to provide a respite to the school children from the prevailing heat wave.
The new timing for the schools has been fixed from 8 am to 1 pm for the school children while the teaching and the non-teaching staff have been directed to attend their duties till 2 pm.
As per the order, the new arrangement would continue till August 15, 2024. The decision was taken after representations about change in school timings poured in from parents and other stakeholders amidst the intense heatwave prevailing in J&K.
Earlier the timing of the schools falling under municipal limits of Srinagar district was 9 am to 3 pm while the timing for schools falling outside municipal limits of Srinagar and other districts and areas of Kashmir province was fixed as 10 am to 4 pm. “We changed the timings due to excessive heat. But now the Meteorological Department is forecasting that the weather will improve from Sunday evening,” the divisional commissioner said.
However, he said that even if the weather would not change, announcing another summer vacation would not be a solution.
