Andhra Pradesh schools ordered to give three water breaks daily

The Andhra Pradesh Department of School Education has recently enforced a directive mandating all schools in the state to institute three water breaks for students in response to escalating temperatures.

Dubbed the "water-bell initiative," these breaks are scheduled at 9:45 am, 10:05 am, and 11:50 am, as disclosed by Praveen Prakash, the principal secretary of school education, in a press release.

According to the Department of School Education, the primary objective of the water-bell initiative is to promote student hydration and improve their overall well-being.
A PTI report on Tuesday, April 2, announced a heatwave warning issued by the Met department for south Bengal districts until Saturday, April 6. The weather office cautioned of a projected increase in maximum daytime temperatures by two to three degrees Celsius over the next several days in south Bengal districts.

Furthermore, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) has anticipated heatwave conditions in the northern districts of Karnataka until Friday, April 5, along with the likelihood of dry weather prevailing across the state in the forthcoming days.

Meanwhile, the Andhra Pradesh State Disaster Management Authority (APSDMA) reported that 68 mandals across the state experienced a heatwave on Tuesday, with nine mandals reporting severe heatwave conditions. However, it forecasted a heatwave for only two mandals on Wednesday.

Earlier, Kerala schools reintroduced the 'water-bell' system to ensure that students stay adequately hydrated during class hours. Kerala was one of the first states in the country to implement this system in 2019 due to soaring temperatures. Following suit, Karnataka and Telangana also adopted the system.

With five-minute breaks scheduled throughout the day, students can hydrate themselves and reduce the risk of heat-related issues such as headaches and urinary tract infections, which can occur when individuals do not consume enough fluids.