Extreme Heat Forces School Closures in Surkhet's Virandh Nagar Municipality, Nepal

Schools in Virandh Nagar Municipality, Surkhet, Nepal will be closed from Sunday to June 25 because of extreme heat. This decision was made to address health concerns for students and the unfavorable learning environment caused by the rising temperatures.

The maximum temperature in Birendranagar reached around 40 degrees Celsius on May 31, prompting the Private and Boarding Schools Organisation of Nepal (PABSON) to take action. PABSON's Surkhet chapter President, Ved Prakash Dhakal, stated, 'the collective decision was made to shut the institutional schools for a week.'

The extreme heat has led to similar measures in other regions of Nepal. For instance, the Nepalgunj Sub-Metropolitan City has extended the summer vacation for students until June 21, with the highest temperature recording at 44.2 degrees Celsius.

The impact of the heatwave extends beyond school closures. In Birendranagar, the municipality plans to close community schools if the temperature remains high. Dhirendra Sharma Lamsal, chief of the municipality's education section, mentioned that community schools will be closed if the extreme heat persists, but they will remain open if there is a respite with rainfall.

The decision to close schools in Surkhet's Virandh Nagar Municipality because of extreme heat highlights the growing concern of climate change and its impact on daily life. This could lead to more frequent disruptions in education and other vital services, affecting the well-being and productivity of communities significantly.

The ongoing immunization campaign against polio, which started on May 26 and is scheduled to run until June 8, is likely to be affected by the school closures. This program is being conducted in local units of Surkhet under two phases in coordination with schools.

The extreme heat in Nepal's Tarai-Madhesh region has also led to similar actions. In Dhangadhi sub-metropolitan city, educational institutions have declared a one-week holiday. Other municipalities, such as Tikapur and Lamkichuha, have implemented a five-day closure starting Thursday, while Joshipur Rural Municipality has suspended classes until June 15 because children have fallen ill.

In Gulariya Municipality, Bardiya district, a six-day closure has been implemented, with a possible extension until June 7. Bhimdatta Municipality in Kanchanpur district has also announced a one-week closure from Friday until June 5. Some local units in Kanchanpur have decided to run classes only until 10 am starting this week.

The extreme temperatures have had severe health impacts. In Gulariya Municipality, children have fallen ill, fainted, and vomited during classes and morning assemblies. A 68-year-old man's granddaughter collapsed and started vomiting during class on May 24, with the doctor attributing her illness to high temperatures. Similarly, a 48-year-old porter suffered a nosebleed and lost consciousness as a result of the heat.

The decision to close schools in Surkhet's Virandh Nagar Municipality highlights the severity of the heatwave affecting Nepal. By prioritizing the health and safety of students, authorities aim to mitigate the adverse effects of the extreme temperatures.

Key Takeaways

• Schools in Virandh Nagar Municipality, Surkhet, Nepal closed from June 4-25 due to extreme heat.
• Temperature in Birendranagar reached 40°C, prompting school closures.
• Other regions in Nepal, such as Nepalgunj and Tarai-Madhesh, also closed schools due to heatwave.
• Extreme heat caused health issues, including fainting, vomiting, and nosebleeds.
• School closures aim to prioritize student health and safety amidst severe heatwave.