North India School Holidays: Holiday Announced for Schools in These States Till January 15 Amid Severe Cold Wave; Check Details and Weather Forecast

Mumbai, January 11: Educational authorities across Northern India have extended winter vacations and ordered school holidays until January 15, as a severe cold wave continues to grip the region. The decision, aimed at ensuring student safety, follows a series of "yellow" and "orange" alerts from the India Meteorological Department (IMD) warning of plunging temperatures and visibility-dropping dense fog. The closures primarily affect primary and middle school students in Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, and Punjab.

Which States Have Issued Holidays Due to Severe Cold Wave

As of January 11, the following regions have confirmed extensions to their holiday schedules:

Delhi: The Directorate of Education (DoE) has confirmed that all government and private schools in the national capital will remain closed until January 15. The winter break, originally part of the 2025-26 academic calendar, was reaffirmed to protect students from the current weather hazards. Gautam Budh Nagar School Holidays: Classes Nursery to 8 To Stay Closed Till January 15 in View of Dense Fog and Cold Wave; Check 7-Day Weather Forecast Here.

Uttar Pradesh (Noida and Ghaziabad): Authorities in Gautam Buddh Nagar (Noida) and Ghaziabad have extended the closure for students from Nursery to Class 8 until January 15. Senior classes (9-12) in some districts may continue with revised timings, typically starting no earlier than 10:00 AM.

Haryana: The state government has declared a uniform winter holiday for all schools across the state from January 1 to January 15. Academic activities are scheduled to resume on January 16.

Punjab: Following directions from the state government, schools will remain closed until January 13, with classes set to resume on January 14.

Delhi Live Weather Forecast and Updates

Uttar Pradesh Live Weather Forecast and Updates

Punjab Live Weather Forecast and Updates

Haryana Live Weather Forecast and Updates

Weather Forecast by IMD Triggers Safety Concerns

The IMD reports that a "Very Dense Fog" layer has settled over the Indo-Gangetic plains, reducing visibility to below 50 meters in many areas during morning hours. These conditions pose significant risks for school transport and children commuting early in the day.

Medical experts have advised that these extreme conditions increase susceptibility to respiratory infections, particularly in younger children. Health officials recommend that parents keep students indoors during peak fog hours and ensure they are dressed in multiple layers of warm clothing.

The 'Double Threat' of Cold and Pollution

While the primary reason for current closures is the cold wave, the National Capital Region (NCR) is also grappling with "Poor" to "Very Poor" air quality. The stagnant cold air has trapped pollutants near the surface, leading to an Air Quality Index (AQI) frequently hovering between 250 and 320. This combination of icy winds, moisture from recent light drizzles, and high pollution levels led authorities to prioritise a "zero-exposure" policy for primary school students. Delhi Weather Forecast: IMD Issues Yellow Alert for Dense Fog, Warns of Cold Wave for January 11-12; AQI Remains Poor (Watch Videos).

Impact on Academic Calendars

To minimise the impact on learning, several private schools have shifted back to online lessons for the duration of the extended break. However, government schools are generally observing a total holiday. For students in board-exam classes (10 and 12), special remedial sessions and pre-board examinations are being conducted under strict guidelines regarding timings and heating arrangements.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jan 11, 2026 10:58 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).