Severe Heatwave In South Sudan Forces Schools To Close

In South Sudan, all schools have been forced to close ahead of a heatwave that could see temperatures as high as 45C (113F).

Children should stay inside, according to the authorities, and the severe weather might linger for at least two weeks.

Officials stated on Saturday that deaths “related to excessive heat” have already been reported.

Parts of the capital Juba, experienced power outages on Monday, leaving residents to suffer in the heat without electric fans.

Due to the “serious health hazards” that children face, the ministries of education, health, and the environment announced on Saturday that all schools will be closed from Monday.

No announcement was made by the ministries as to when schools would open, but two teachers told the BBC that classes are set to resume on April 3.

The BBC was informed by the medical charity Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) that since the temperatures began to rise, there has been an increase in hospital admissions.

Muslims in the country have been particularly badly affected by the weather because a large number of them are fasting. As a result, they are not allowed to have any liquids during the day, including water.

Melissa Enoch

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