Raipur: With maximum temperatures in Chhattisgarh hovering above 44 degrees Celsius, the state government on Friday issued an order for closure of all schools in the state from April 25 instead of the scheduled date of May 1.

"The decision for early closure of schools in the state was taken to give relief to thousands of students from the intolerable heat wave and also keeping in mind the drinking water problem at schools," an official statement said on Friday.

The education department has asked District Education Officers (DEOs) of all the 18 districts to ensure that summer vacation should be enforced from April 25 rather than May 1. The schools will reopen from June 16.

Since April 21, the mercury has been hovering in most parts of the state above 44 degrees. The steel city of Raigarh recorded a high of 46 degrees Celsius which is at least 4 degrees higher than average.

The meteorological department here has predicted a further rise in temperature since hot winds from Rajasthan are sweeping across the state.

The current heat wave has been forcing residents to remain indoors. Health department officials say dozens of heatstroke-affected people have started flooding hospitals in Raipur, Bilaspur, Raigarh, Korba and Surguja districts. IANS