KTA urges Govt to extend school summer vacation amid scorching heatwave

Srinagar, July 5: The Kashmir Trade Alliance (KTA) has urged the Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, to immediately extend the ongoing summer vacation in schools in view of the intense and unprecedented heatwave sweeping across the Valley.

In a statement, KTA President Aijaz Shahdhar said the temperature in Srinagar crossed 37 degrees Celsius on Friday — a level not witnessed since 1953. He said such extreme weather poses a serious health risk to school-going children, especially in the absence of proper infrastructure like cooling systems and ventilation in most schools.

Shahdhar stressed that continuing physical classes under the current conditions would be unsafe and counterproductive. He urged the Education Department to extend the vacation beyond July 7, the scheduled reopening date, and recommended the initiation of online classes during the extended break to ensure academic continuity.

The KTA also appealed to Education Minister Sakina Itoo to take urgent action and issue necessary directions keeping in view student health and safety. The Alliance said the government must act swiftly and responsibly to prevent further distress among children and their families due to the ongoing heatwave.