Cold Wave Forces Closure of All UP Schools Till January 1, CM Yogi Adityanath Orders Safety Measures

Lucknow, Dec 29: Amid an intense cold spell gripping Uttar Pradesh, chief minister Yogi Adityanath on Sunday ordered the closure of all schools across the state till January 1 to ensure the safety of students. The decision applies to all schools up to Class 12, including those affiliated with the UP Board, CBSE, and ICSE. The move comes as temperatures continue to dip and dense fog affects large parts of the state. According to a government order, the chief minister said the safety of children is of utmost importance during the cold wave and made it clear that any negligence in implementing the order would not be tolerated. Officials have been instructed to strictly follow the directions and ensure that schools remain closed during the specified period. In addition to shutting schools, the chief minister also directed district administrations to strengthen arrangements to protect the general public from the harsh weather. He asked officials to ensure that adequate bonfires and blankets are made available at public places in every district so that people can stay warm during the night and early morning hours. Yogi Adityanath also issued special instructions regarding the operation of night shelters across the state. He said no person should be forced to sleep in the open during the cold spell and stressed the need for proper facilities at all shelters. Officials were told to ensure the availability of clean bedding, sufficient blankets, and proper sanitation at these facilities. The chief minister asked authorities to remain alert and make sure that needy people receive timely relief and shelter. The decision follows weather warnings issued by the India Meteorological Department (IMD), which has predicted cold day and severe cold day conditions in several parts of Uttar Pradesh. According to the IMD, west Uttar Pradesh may experience cold day conditions at isolated places on December 28 and 29. For east Uttar Pradesh, the forecast warned of cold day to severe cold day conditions at a few places on December 28 and cold day conditions at isolated locations on December 29. The IMD has also warned that dense to very dense fog is very likely to continue in parts of north India, including Himachal Pradesh, Punjab, Haryana, Chandigarh, and west Uttar Pradesh till December 31. East Uttar Pradesh is expected to see similar fog conditions till January 1, with gradual improvement after that. Poor visibility during night and early morning hours has already been affecting road and rail movement in many districts. Over the past few days, several parts of Uttar Pradesh have recorded low temperatures, with foggy conditions adding to the chill. The combination of cold winds, low visibility, and falling temperatures has raised health concerns, especially for children, the elderly, and those living in vulnerable conditions. State officials said district magistrates and senior officers have been asked to carry out field visits to monitor the situation closely. They have also been instructed to coordinate with local bodies, police, and health departments to ensure that emergency measures are in place and that no one is left without basic protection during the cold spell. The state government said it will continue to review the weather situation and take further decisions if required. For now, parents and students have been advised to follow official instructions and avoid unnecessary travel during early morning hours. The closure of schools and the focus on public safety measures underline the government’s effort to reduce the impact of the cold wave and ensure that people across Uttar Pradesh remain safe during the harsh winter conditions. Cold Wave Forces Closure of All UP Schools Till January 1, CM Yogi Adityanath Orders Safety Measures With cold wave conditions tightening their grip across Uttar Pradesh, chief minister Yogi Adityanath has ordered the closure of all schools in the state till January 1. The decision applies to students from Class 1 to Class 12, including schools affiliated with the UP Board, CBSE and ICSE. The move aims to protect children from extreme cold, low temperatures and dense fog being reported in many districts. The chief minister said the safety of children is the top priority during this cold spell and warned that any negligence in following the order will not be tolerated. Parents and school authorities have been asked to strictly follow the instructions and keep schools closed until weather conditions improve. Along with shutting schools, the state government has directed district administrations to strengthen arrangements for the public. Officials have been told to ensure proper bonfire facilities and supply of blankets at public places across all districts. Special focus has been placed on protecting the poor, elderly and homeless during night and early morning hours. CM Yogi Adityanath has also issued clear instructions regarding night shelters. Authorities have been directed to ensure that no person in the state sleeps in the open during the cold wave. All night shelters must have adequate bedding, blankets, cleanliness and basic facilities so that people can stay warm and safe. The decision comes after the India Meteorological Department warned of cold day and severe cold day conditions in parts of west and east Uttar Pradesh. Dense to very dense fog is also expected to continue till December 31 in many areas and till January 1 in some districts, leading to poor visibility and increased risk during travel. Officials will continue to monitor the situation on the ground, and further decisions may be taken if needed. Citizens are advised to stay cautious and follow official weather updates.