Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh – In response to a severe cold wave sweeping across Uttar Pradesh, the state government has ordered the closure of all schools until January 5, 2026. The directive, issued by Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Friday, applies to all educational institutions, from primary schools to Class 12, irrespective of their affiliation, including CBSE, ICSE, and UP Board.
The decision prioritizes the safety and well-being of students as temperatures plummet and dense fog disrupts daily life. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) reports that large parts of Uttar Pradesh are experiencing dense to very dense fog, accompanied by below-normal temperatures. Both western and eastern regions of the state are expected to face persistent fog during night and early morning hours until January 5.
The IMD has warned of extremely poor visibility in isolated areas on January 2, 3, and 4, significantly impacting road, rail, and air travel. Several districts in eastern Uttar Pradesh, including Gorakhpur, Kushinagar, Prayagraj, Kanpur, and Azamgarh, reported near-zero visibility. Western districts like Agra, Hamirpur, Moradabad, and Jhansi were also severely affected. Major cities, including Lucknow, Varanasi, Ayodhya, and Ghazipur, recorded visibility levels as low as 50 meters, according to IMD data. Over 100 trains are running behind schedule and more than 10 flights have been cancelled due to poor visibility. An Air India flight had to circle the Lucknow airport 17 times on Friday before being diverted to Delhi.
Minimum temperatures across eastern and western Uttar Pradesh have dipped more than 5 degrees Celsius below normal in isolated locations. On Friday, Barabanki and Hardoi recorded minimum temperatures of 6°C, while Gorakhpur recorded 6.4°C, Azamgarh 6.9°C, Kanpur 7.2°C, and Lucknow 8.6°C. The Meteorological Department has issued a severe cold wave warning for the next four days, cautioning that dense fog may significantly reduce visibility during morning and night hours.
In addition to the school closures, Chief Minister Adityanath has instructed district authorities to remain on high alert and take proactive steps to protect vulnerable populations during the severe winter spell. Officials have been directed to conduct field inspections, distribute blankets, prevent people from sleeping outdoors, and ensure that night shelters are fully prepared and operational. The Chief Minister emphasized that no one should sleep in the open and that night shelters must be fully equipped with warmth, food, and basic facilities. Surprise inspections of night shelters have also been ordered.
The state government's swift action reflects the seriousness of the cold wave, aiming to reduce health risks and safeguard the well-being of students and vulnerable residents. Schools are expected to resume normal operations from January 6, weather permitting. The government is closely monitoring the situation and is prepared to take further measures if necessary.
