Ranchi: After the Jharkhand Parents Association (JPA) urged state govt to revise school timings or declare a temporary break to safeguard children’s health, health minister Irfan Ansari has directed that schools in heatwave-affected areas be closed for a few days.Association president Ajay Rai flagged concerns over increasing cases of dehydration, dizziness and fatigue among students, particularly during afternoon hours.The association has demanded that school timings be revised to 6:30 am to 10:30 am and that holidays be declared in heatwave-affected districts.It also called for empowering district administrations to take decisions based on local weather conditions. Rai stressed that sending children to school in extreme heat poses serious health risks and sought immediate intervention from the education department.In districts where temperatures are nearing 44 degrees Celsius, residents have been advised to avoid going out between 12 and 4 pm, stay hydrated, and take special care of children, elderly and ailing people. Hospitals have also been asked to stay prepared for heat-related cases.