Assam sizzles at close to 40°C in monsoon, school hours curtailed

Guwahati: Daytime temperatures from IMD-run automatic weather stations (AWS) in Assam recorded above 40 Celsius in 17 locations across 13 districts on Friday, forcing authorities to cut down school timings as weather experts blamed the freaky weather to a haphazard monsoon.
According to Indian Meteorological Department (IMD), maximum temperatures have increased by 5 to 6 C above normal over last few days.This spike is primarily due to insufficient precipitation and is predicted to remain unchanged in the coming days.
In Kamrup metropolitan district, which includes Guwahati, an AWS recorded 45.9 C at Gauhati University and 40.7 C within the city. These and other AWS data were "moderated" by IMD to below 40 Celsius.
The record for the highest day temperature in Guwahati since 1951 is 40.6 C recorded on April 24, 2014.
An IMD scientist at Guwahati Regional Meteorological Centre told TOI the data from AWS at various locations are computer-generated raw data, which have to be verified.
The final data after verification for Guwahati's maximum temperature on Friday stood at 38 Celsius, 5.6 above normal, prompting authorities to order schools in Kamrup metropolitan district to start at 7.30am and shut down by 12.30pm starting Saturday.
Schools have been asked to ensure that morning assemblies are conducted inside the classrooms. They have also been asked to ensure students drink sufficient water and the school should have enough drinking water.
"Schools should ensure that all fans are functional, and all classrooms are properly ventilated. In case of power cuts, alternate power backups must be arranged," the order stated.