Schools shut in several states as cold wave and dense fog grip North and Northeast India

Cold wave conditions sweeping across large parts of north and northeast India prompted multiple states to shut schools as authorities moved to protect students from falling temperatures, dense fog, and related health risks.

Punjab, Assam, and parts of Uttar Pradesh announced temporary closures or extensions of winter holidays, with officials saying the situation will be reviewed as weather conditions evolve.

In Punjab, the state government extended the winter break for all schools amid persistent cold and fog. The decision covers government, aided, recognized, and private institutions statewide.

Punjab Education Minister Harjot Singh Bains announced the move in 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 schools across Punjab will reopen on Jan 8, 2026, as per the regular schedule.

In Assam, authorities ordered the closure of schools in the Kamrup Metropolitan district, which includes Guwahati, after a sharp drop in daytime temperatures during an intense cold spell. Officials said the decision was taken to safeguard students as harsh winter conditions persist.

According to an official order, all government and provincialized schools in Kamrup (Metropolitan) will remain closed from Dec 31, 2025, to January 6, 2026, and will reopen on Jan 7.

Provincialized schools are privately run institutions that have been taken over by the government.

The district inspector of schools directed institutions to suspend all academic and co-curricular activities during the closure while advising private schools to take an appropriate decision in the interest of students.

In Uttar Pradesh, the Office of the District Basic Education Officer in Gautam Buddha Nagar ordered the closure of all schools until Jan 1, 2026, due to dense fog and severe cold.

The directive applies to classes from nursery through Class 12 and includes schools affiliated with CBSE, ICSE, IB, the UP Board, and other boards.

The order, issued by District Basic Education Officer Rahul Pawar following instructions from the District Magistrate, said that while students will not attend classes, 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 Jan 2.