Punjab Announces Early Summer Vacation as Heatwave Intensifies Across the Province
- Abeera Marium Siddiqui
- May 21, 2025
- 4:29 pm
- 37
- Trending
The summer vacations in Punjab will start earlier this year due to rising temperatures. The Punjab government has announced that all public and private schools will close from May 28 to protect students and staff from the ongoing heatwave.
Education Minister Rana Sikandar Hayat confirmed the decision on Tuesday. He said the move came after talks with the education and health departments.
Authorities want to prevent heat-related health issues among children and school staff.
Until May 28, schools across the province will follow revised timings. Classes will begin at 7:30am and end at 11:30am. These new hours are now in effect and aim to reduce student exposure during peak heat hours.
According to the Punjab School Education Department, schools will reopen on August 15. Colleges and universities will also observe the same summer break dates, as announced by the Higher Education Department.
The Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) has issued multiple warnings about extreme heat. Daytime temperatures are expected to remain 4°C to 7°C above normal in southern and central Punjab. In Lahore, the temperature reached 42°C on Tuesday.
Due to these harsh conditions, residents have been advised to avoid direct sunlight and stay hydrated. Children, senior citizens, and women are especially at risk during this time.
The Punjab Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) has also taken action. It issued heatwave alerts to all schools and local governments. Safety instructions include:
- Stopping outdoor sports and physical activities
- Making clean, cold drinking water available at all times
- Ensuring fans, ventilation, and cooling systems work properly
- Wearing light-colored, loose clothing
PDMA Director General Irfan Ali Kathia instructed schools to prepare for emergencies. Hospitals must also be ready to offer first aid in case of heatstroke or dehydration.
Relief Commissioner Nabeel Javed directed all district administrations to stay alert. He asked departments such as health, education, local government, and Rescue 1122 to coordinate and respond quickly to any heatwave-related issues.
Meanwhile, farmers received weather updates and were advised to protect both crops and livestock. Strong winds and dust storms may also occur in the plains over the next few days.
The Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz-led government approved the early closure after reviewing health advisories. Officials stressed that student safety is the top concern. With rising temperatures and health risks, summer vacations in Punjab had to be moved forward.
This isn’t the first time the province has made changes due to extreme heat. Earlier in the month, authorities had already hinted that summer vacations in Punjab could begin sooner if weather conditions worsened.
