South Sudan’s government has ordered an indefinite closure of all schools because of a heatwave that could see temperatures rise to as high as 45C (113F).

Health and education authorities also urged parents to stop their children from playing outdoors for prolonged periods, saying the heatwave could last for two weeks.

“There are already cases of deaths related to excessive heat being reported,” authorities said in a statement on Saturday.

They said that the country was experiencing “extended periods of high day and night-time temperatures that create cumulative physiological stress on the human body”.

Any school found open from Monday would have its registration withdrawn, the authorities warned.

Last week, at least 15 children were reported to have died of meningitis and other heat-related illnesses, according to the health ministry.