The Delhi government has asked schools to close for the summer vacations on May 11, earlier than the last date scheduled at many of the city's private institutions. The Education Department's decision on "mandatory summer vacations" aims to help lakhs of children escape the worst of the city's searing heat. This applies to all private, government-run and municipal schools, PTI reported. While government schools were scheduled to close on May 10, many private schools had classes planned well into the month.

Tuesday was declared the hottest day in the national capital region this year as temperatures hit 44 degrees Celsius, five degrees above normal. Temperatures are expected to go up further as the summer progresses.