Bhubaneshwar, April 26 -- Amid rising temperatures and heatwave conditions, Odisha Minister Suresh Pujari on Sunday said the state government has ordered the closure of schools and advanced summer vacations as part of precautionary measures.

"In view of the heat wave, the schools have been closed... The summer vacations have been announced in advance... We will ensure zero casualties and fight the heat wave", he told reporters here.

Earlier on April 24, Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi announced an early summer vacation in schools across the state due to the prevailing heatwave.

As per the order, all government, government-aided and private schools will remain closed from April 27, while pre-scheduled examinations and official ...