West Bengal schools to begin summer vacation early from April 30 due to rising heat and humidity

KOLKATA: Due to rising temperatures and humid conditions, the West Bengal Education Department will declare summer vacation in state-run schools from April 30, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee said on Thursday. Briefing journalists at state secretariat Nabanna, Banerjee said instead of the usual practice of declaring summer vacation from the second week of May, the department will issue a notice about advancing it to April 30 for primary, secondary and higher secondary schools.

"The Education Department will issue the notice to this effect later," she said.

The city recorded a maximum of 34.4 degree Celsius on Thursday, as mercury levels had been steadily rising over the past week.

"It is expected to rise further in the coming days, with no rain or Nor'wester forecast in the immediate future", according to the weather office.