With severe winter conditions intensified across large parts of north and northeast India, several states including Punjab, Assam, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar and Jharkhand ordered the closure of schools to safeguard students amid plummeting temperatures, dense fog and cold wave conditions.
State governments and district administrations cited health and safety concerns while announcing extensions of winter breaks or temporary suspension of classes, with authorities indicating that further decisions will be taken based on evolving weather conditions.
As temperatures continued to dip across Punjab, the state government announced an extension of the winter break for all schools in view of the prevailing cold wave and fog. The decision applies to government, aided, recognised and private schools across the state.
The announcement was made by Punjab Education Minister Harjot Singh Bains through a post on social media platform X. “In accordance with the directives of the Honorable Chief Minister of Punjab, S Bhagwant Singh Mann Ji, keeping in view the continuously increasing cold and fog in the state, and with due consideration to the health and safety of children and staff, holidays are being declared in all government, aided, recognized, and private schools of the state until January 7,” Bains said.
He added that all schools in Punjab will reopen on January 8, 2026, as per regular schedule.
Schools closed in Assam
All schools in Assam’s Kamrup Metropolitan district, which includes Guwahati city, have been closed for a week after daytime temperatures dropped sharply below normal amid an intense cold spell. The decision was taken keeping in mind the health and safety of students as harsh winter conditions continued across the region.
According to an official order, all government and provincialised schools in Kamrup (Metropolitan) will remain closed from December 31, 2025, to January 6, 2026, with classes resuming from January 7. Provincialised schools are privately run institutions taken over by the government. The Inspector of Schools (IS) of the district directed schools to suspend all academic and co-curricular activities during the closure period, while advising private schools to take an appropriate call in the interest of students.
Story continues below this ad
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) said Guwahati recorded a maximum temperature of 18.1 degrees Celsius on Tuesday, which was 6.4 degrees below normal. Cloudy skies with light rain or drizzle and shallow to moderate fog are expected at isolated places over Assam till Thursday morning. An upper air cyclonic circulation over Northeast Assam was cited as one of the factors influencing the prevailing weather.
Gautam Buddha Nagar schools closed till January 1
In Uttar Pradesh, the Office of the District Basic Education Officer (BSA), Gautam Buddha Nagar, ordered the closure of all schools till January 1, 2026, due to dense fog and severe cold. The directive applies to classes from nursery to Class 12 and covers schools affiliated with CBSE, ICSE, IB, the UP Board and other boards.
The order, issued by District Basic Education Officer Rahul Pawar in line with instructions from the District Magistrate, stated that while schools will remain closed for students, teachers and staff of government, non-government and council schools must report to duty as usual. Schools in the district are scheduled to reopen on January 2.
Bihar, Jharkhand extend winter break
Cold wave conditions have also led to suspension of classes in Bihar and Jharkhand. In Bihar, schools have been closed till December 30 as several districts, including Patna, continued to record low temperatures.
Story continues below this ad
In Jharkhand, schools will remain shut till December 31 following the issuance of a yellow alert for parts of the state, including Ranchi. Officials said the move was precautionary, aimed at protecting children from cold-related health risks.
(With agency inputs)
