All educational institutions in Orissa will be closed from May 1 to June 15 due to an unprecedented heat wave in the state, Secretary, School and Mass Education Department, Jagadananda Panda, told rediff.com on Tuesday.

The government has sent a circular to all the institutions in this regard, he said.

"We will take strong actions against those who do not follow the government's instruction," he said.

At least 2,000 people were killed after a heat wave in Orissa in 1998.