In the southern part of Brazil, five cities have taken the decision to halt classes on Thursday due to a severe heat wave impacting the region. This comes as temperatures have surged to a sweltering 36 degrees Celsius (97 degrees Fahrenheit) in several locations. All of the affected cities are located in the southern state of Rio Grande do Sul, including Rio Grande itself, which cited inadequate school facilities to cope with such extreme heat conditions. Educational activities are planned to recommence on Monday.
The National Institute of Meteorology has issued a severe weather advisory encompassing Rio Grande do Sul and four additional Brazilian states, indicating an abrupt rise in temperatures that have soared up to 5 degrees Celsius (9 F) above the typical monthly average. Consequently, the public is urged to take necessary precautions.
Extreme weather phenomena, such as floods and droughts, had already made a significant impact on the lives of at least 1.17 million children across Brazil last year, according to a report published by UNESCO in January. Particularly hard hit was Rio Grande do Sul, where over 740,000 children had their schooling disrupted by intense flooding that ravaged the state in May 2024.
Education policy specialist Daniel Cara from the University of Sao Paulo has noted a historical precedent of schools closing during the dry season due to wildfire threats or water shortages. However, he emphasizes that the closure of schools because of extreme heat is swiftly becoming more commonplace. “This is going to be the new normal,” he commented during a phone interview. “Climate issues have consistently challenged school schedules, and now, heat waves coupled with the absence of air conditioning are likely to cause frequent class cancellations.”
The Brazilian populace has been grappling with intense heat waves throughout this summer season. In a startling occurrence in February, Rio de Janeiro experienced what was reported as its hottest day in over a decade, with the mercury climbing to an intense 44 degrees Celsius (111 F).
