North India Faces Severe Cold Wave: School Closures and Adjusted Timings Announced

North India is currently facing severe winter conditions, prompting school closures and adjusted timings across various states. With temperatures dropping and dense fog affecting visibility, authorities are taking precautionary measures to ensure student safety. Haryana has extended school holidays until January 17, while Punjab has revised school timings to mitigate risks. In Uttar Pradesh, several districts have announced school closures based on local weather conditions. Parents and students are advised to stay informed through official channels as the situation evolves.

By Ambika Singh Jan 16, 2026, 09:03 IST

Severe Winter Conditions Affect Daily Life in North India

North India is currently experiencing harsh winter weather, leading to significant disruptions in daily activities. Authorities are implementing precautionary measures to ensure public safety as temperatures plummet, dense fog reduces visibility, and cold wave conditions persist. As a result, schools in Haryana will remain closed until January 17, with some districts extending the break even further. Parents and students in Delhi and Uttar Pradesh are closely monitoring updates regarding school reopening.

Impact of Cold Wave on Daily Life

The recent days have seen North India grappling with severe cold, compounded by thick fog in the mornings. Visibility has sharply decreased, raising the risk of accidents and making it unsafe for children to travel to school. In response, state governments in Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Delhi-NCR, and Punjab have enacted temporary measures, including school closures and adjusted schedules.

Haryana Extends School Holidays

The Haryana government has officially extended the winter break for schools until January 17, 2026. Initially, schools were set to reopen on January 16, but worsening weather prompted an additional day of closure. In some districts, holidays have been extended until January 20. For areas reopening sooner, local administrations have adjusted school hours to minimize exposure to the extreme cold during early mornings.

Punjab Adjusts School Timings

In contrast, Punjab has chosen to revise school timings rather than extend holidays. Due to an increase in accidents linked to fog and low visibility, the state government has announced new schedules for schools from January 16 to January 21.

Primary schools will operate from 10:00 am to 3:00 pm

Secondary and high schools will be open from 10:00 am to 3:20 pm

This change aims to ensure that students do not travel during the coldest and foggiest hours.

Current Situation in Delhi-NCR

Currently, there is no clear information regarding school reopening dates or adjusted timings in Delhi and the surrounding NCR. Weather conditions remain challenging, and authorities are actively monitoring the situation. Parents and students are encouraged to stay informed through official school communications and local administration updates.

Uttar Pradesh Implements School Closures

In Uttar Pradesh, district administrations are making independent decisions based on local weather conditions. For instance, in Sambhal district, the District Magistrate has declared school holidays for all institutions from nursery to Class 8 on January 16 and 17. Other districts have also extended holidays until January 20 due to cold wave and fog conditions. In cities like Noida, Ghaziabad, and Lucknow, physical classes for students up to Class 8 have been suspended, while senior classes may continue with online classes or adjusted timings.

Prioritizing Student Safety

Education departments across various states have emphasized that the safety of students is their primary concern. Young children are particularly susceptible to extreme cold, and exposure during early morning travel can lead to health complications. Authorities have assured parents that decisions regarding school reopening will be made after careful consideration of weather forecasts and ground conditions.

Guidance for Parents and Students

Parents are advised to:

Regularly check official school communications and district administration updates

Avoid sending children to school without confirmed instructions

Ensure children are warm and protected during extreme weather

Final Update on School Schedules

With cold wave conditions expected to continue for several more days, school schedules across North India remain flexible. Haryana schools will remain closed until January 17, with some districts extending holidays until January 20. Punjab has adjusted school timings, while Uttar Pradesh continues to announce district-specific closures. Delhi-NCR is still awaiting clear directives.

Students and parents should remain vigilant and rely solely on official sources for the latest updates.