Bhubaneswar, April 22 -- Amid rising temperatures across Odisha, Revenue and Disaster Management Minister Suresh Pujari today said that district collectors have been empowered to decide on the closure of schools based on local weather conditions.

Currently, schools in the state are operating in morning shifts. However, in areas where the temperature crosses critical limits, collectors can independently decide to close schools to ensure the safety of students, the minister said.

"A review of the heat wave conditions across Odisha will be done very soon. Discussions will be held in a day or two, and more detailed guidelines will be issued," Pujari informed.

He further said that while a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) has already been ...