Schools decide to change timings as heat soars in City of Joy

Authorities of many schools have decided to reschedule the timings as the city has been witnessing unbearable heat for some days. The Met office recorded a maximum temperature of 38 degrees Celsius, eight degrees above normal and presumed it to be the highest since a decade. Friday's morning temperature was 21 degrees Celsius, which is quite high in comparison to the time's normal.

"The authority has changed the school timing. The students who come at 10 am in the morning, will now come at 8 am," said guardians of a private school at South Kolkata.

Meanwhile, Nadia and Kolkata primary education councils requested the West Bengal Board of Primary Education to reschedule the timings of the primary schools. According to an Education department source, the officers of both the councils requested the

Board to change the timings in view of the ongoing hot and humid weather. "The board is yet to take a final decision," the source added.

Meanwhile, in Kolkata, it was virtually a sauna on Friday with scorching heat and sweat dripping down one's back, courtesy high humidity, with the Met office ruling out any signs of rain which could bring relief.

Despite the soaring mercury cricket fans trooped in at the Eden Gardens to watch Kolkata Knight Riders take on Delhi Daredevils in an Indian Premier League (IPL) 2017 game. Shielded by caps, hats and sunscreens, spectators beat the heat with soft drinks.

Kolkata's usually buzzing streets appeared dull with most preferring to remain indoors.

The preferred mode of transport was the Metro and the air-conditioned buses. Those caught in between transits hid under umbrellas and took shelter under store canopies.