Heat wave: TMC demands holiday for schools, colleges

Temperatures in Erode district have reached record highs. Therefore, TMC State Youth wing President M Yuvaraja has requested that the government should give holidays to schools and colleges.
He said ''Generally, Vellore  and Salem districts reach the peak of heat. But it was 109.4 degrees Fahrenheit in Erode on Monday. The temperature has been rising gradually for the past 15 days and yesterday, the second highest temperature in India has been recorded in Erode district. 
Agni Nakshatra will occur from May 4th to 29th. It is during that period that the heat reaches its peak. But on the contrary, the sun is scorching people a month earlier.  Heavy rainfall occurs in a single day and in non monsoon period. An example is Thoothukudi and Chennai. 
Storms hit Tamil Nadu even during non-monsoon season. 
Now, people above 60 years of age have been told not to move between 11 am and 3 pm.  This heat is one of the reasons why this year's voter turnout has decreased compared to the last election in 2014. 
But unfortunately school students walk to school even now. Similarly in colleges semester exams are not completed. Only 10th, 11th and 12th class exams have been completed. Considering the extreme heat, the government should immediately declare holidays for schools and colleges. Special classes should be stopped. Examinations can be conducted after the heat subsides. For students studying upto VIII, there is a rule of pass for all.
 Meteorologists say the heat wave is getting higher. In this case, death due to extreme heat known as sun stroke could also high in northern states. Many diseases including skin cancer can affect people if heat stress increases.
 The decisions of many world summits should be implemented. Ministries on climate change have been created in central and state governments. The ministries should investigate how the temperature has risen so drastically. Generally, heat wave situation prevails in northern states. Now it is seen in Tamil Nadu also.
The government claims to plant 2 crore trees every year. But on the other side the temperature is rising gradually. Scientists have said that the melting of the ice sheets in the Antarctic and Arctic regions will soon occur due to the increase in temperature.
This will cause the sea level to rise. Experts have already warned that Bangladesh, West Bengal, Chennai and many other coastal districts and countries will be affected. Global warming increases due to emissions of carbondioxides, increase fossil fuel and vehicles, continuous cutting of trees, excessive extraction of ground water, population growth, degradation of water sources, mining sand in the river, etc. 
Therefore, on a war-time basis, Central and State Governments should take appropriate measures against environmental pollution and natural variability. Although this is a problem that needs to be solved at the global level,  our country should take steps to deal the problem effectively. Both Government and people need awareness about nature conservation, he added.