Schools in Delhi have been directed to ring a bell every 45 to 60 minutes to remind students to drink water, as authorities roll out fresh measures to protect children amid rising temperatures and heatwave conditions in the capital.
The advisory applies to government, aided and recognized private schools, and is part of a broader heat-safety plan issued by Delhi’s Directorate of Education. Along with the “water bell” system, schools have also been asked to introduce a buddy system so students can look out for one another’s health during extreme weather.
Authorities said the steps are aimed at reducing the risk of dehydration, heat exhaustion and other heat-related illnesses among children, who are especially vulnerable during prolonged hot spells. Delhi and other parts of northern India have been bracing for intense summer conditions, prompting schools to adopt extra safeguards.
The latest order reflects growing concern over the effect of extreme heat on daily life in India, where government data cited in recent reporting says nearly 11,000 people died from heat stroke between 2012 and 2021.
The move is being seen as a simple but practical intervention to build hydration habits among students while helping schools respond to increasingly harsh summer temperatures.
