NewKerala.com

Chandigarh Schools Closed Till Jan 17 Amid Severe Cold Wave & Dense Fog

The District Education Office in Chandigarh has extended winter vacations and revised timings for all schools until January 17, 2026, due to severe cold and foggy conditions. The order continues previous directives issued in early January, mandating strict compliance from school heads. The India Meteorological Department reported minimum temperatures as low as 0°C in parts of northern India and forecasts dense fog to persist in several states until January 20. Light rainfall is also anticipated in northern regions from January 16 onwards, prompting advisories for caution.

Key Points: Chandigarh School Holidays Extended to Jan 17 Due to Cold Weather

  • Holidays extended for all schools
  • Severe cold and fog cited as reason
  • IMD reports sub-zero temperatures in parts
  • Fog forecast for North India until Jan 20
  • Potential rainfall expected later this week
2 min read

Chandigarh: School holidays extended till January 17

Chandigarh extends school holidays and revised timings till January 17, 2026, as severe cold and dense fog grip northern India. IMD issues forecasts.

"Dense to very dense fog conditions are very likely to prevail during morning hours - India Meteorological Department"

New Delhi, January 13

In view of the prevailing cold and foggy weather conditions, the District Education Office of the Union Territory of Chandigarh has extended the revised school timings and winter vacation for all government, government-aided and recognised private schools across the UT till January 17, 2026, an official order said.

According to an official order issued by the District Education Officer, the extension is in continuation of earlier orders dated January 3 and January 9, 2026.

The order stated that the same schedule and instructions as mentioned in the January 3 directive will remain in force during the extended period.

The decision has been taken keeping in mind the ongoing severe winter conditions affecting the region. All heads of Government and Government-Aided schools in Chandigarh have been directed to ensure strict compliance with the order.

The order was issued on January 12, 2026, and signed by the District Education Officer, UT Chandigarh.

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) on Tuesday reported minimum temperatures of 5 degrees Celsius or below at 0830 hours IST in several parts of northern India.

According to IMD, Patiala recorded a low of 3 degrees Celsius, while Ballowal Saunkri saw temperatures dipping to 0 degrees Celsius.

The weather agency further forecasted that dense to very dense fog conditions are very likely to prevail during morning hours in some parts of Haryana, Chandigarh, Delhi, and Punjab until January 15. Dense fog is also expected in isolated pockets across these regions until January 20, 2026.

Additionally, light to moderate scattered to fairly widespread rainfall/snowfall is likely over Jammu-Kashmir-Ladakh-Gilgit-Baltistan-Muzaffarabad, Himachal Pradesh, and Uttarakhand from January 16 to 19.

Isolated rainfall is anticipated over Punjab, Haryana, Chandigarh, and West Uttar Pradesh on January 18 and 19.

IMD advised residents to exercise caution amid the foggy conditions and potential disruptions due to precipitation in the hilly areas.

- ANI

Share this article:

Reader Comments

R
Rohit P
While I understand the safety concern, these frequent extensions disrupt the academic calendar. The syllabus gets compressed and puts pressure on students and teachers later. Can't we have better contingency plans?
A
Aman W
It's freezing! The IMD report says 3°C in Patiala. Absolutely the right call. Let the children stay warm. Health is more important than a few days of school. Hope other states in the north follow suit.
S
Sarah B
As a parent working from home, this is a bit challenging for childcare, but I'd much rather deal with that than worry about my kids on foggy roads. The weather forecast looks intense for the next week.
V
Vikram M
Chandigarh admin is being proactive. I remember similar cold waves in the past where schools didn't close and attendance was very poor anyway. Better to have a structured break. Stay safe, everyone!
K
Kriti O
Good move. But what about online classes? Many private schools have the infrastructure. A day or two of online engagement would keep the learning momentum without compromising safety. Just a thought.

We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.

Leave a Comment

Minimum 50 characters 0/50