Chandigarh, Jan 7: Schools across Punjab will remain closed till January 13 as the state continues to reel under intense cold and dense fog, the government announced on Wednesday. Classes are scheduled to resume from January 14.
The closure applies to all government, aided, recognised and private schools in the state. Authorities said the decision was taken to safeguard students’ health as temperatures remain unusually low for this time of the season.
“Considering the prevailing weather conditions and the safety of children, it has been decided to extend the winter break in schools till January 13,” a senior official from the school education department said.
Schools had earlier been directed to remain shut till January 7. The extension comes amid a steady dip in minimum temperatures across several districts.
According to the Meteorological Department, temperatures in parts of Punjab dropped below 5 degrees Celsius on Wednesday. Bathinda recorded the lowest minimum temperature in the state at 4.6 degrees Celsius.
Amritsar registered a minimum of 7.5 degrees, Ludhiana 6.6 degrees, Patiala 7.1 degrees and Gurdaspur 5.7 degrees Celsius.
Weather officials said cold wave conditions are likely to persist over the next few days, with fog continuing during morning hours in several regions.
