The Gautam Buddha Nagar administration has ordered all schools up to Class 8 in Noida and Greater Noida shut till further notice due to a severe cold wave accompanied by foggy conditions. The decision was taken on Thursday, January 2, 2025, after the minimum and maximum temperatures decreased, making it unsafe for students to commute to schools.
Order issued by District Education Officer
Issued by: District Basic Education Officer Rahul Panwar.
Reason: Because of the present cold weather and fog, which are expected to continue for some time and will create a nuisance for students traveling to school.
Order: This order shall remain in force until further orders. Any contravention of this order will be dealt with severely.
The administration sends a notification stating that all the board-recognized schools should not open until the weather gets better. This is applicable to all schools, be it CBSE, ICSE, IB, or UP Board, and all are asked to keep the children at home till the situation normalizes.
Cold Wave Grips North India: Impact on Weather and Temperatures
According to latest reports from India Meteorological Department (IMD), a cold wave has seized North India where temperatures have seen a drastic downfall in many districts.
Central and Western parts of Central India may see more days of cold waves than normal for the month of January; this is reportedly affecting states of Uttar Pradesh, Delhi, Haryana, and Rajasthan.
Temperatures in major cities of Uttar Pradesh, such as Meerut, were recorded to be as low as 9°C, while Lucknow’s temperature was recorded to be 10°C.
The dense fog that spread over many places on Wednesday, January 1, made Ayodhya more challenging to navigate.
The Indian Meteorological Department has predicted that the cold wave will persist over the region and cause low visibility, which would be hazardous for health and safety.
Earlier Action in Noida and Surrounding Regions
The administration of Gautam Buddh Nagar had already rescheduled school hours with classes starting from 9 AM to avoid early morning chill that prevailed on 16 December, 2024.
Further, for curbing the pollution and enforcement of GRAP III, students up to Class 5 had to be in hybrid mode only. Online classes were to be given wherever feasible to reduce their exposure to such a hazardous environment.
Winter Breaks in Delhi and Haryana
As with Noida, the Aam Aadmi Party-led Delhi government has also announced winter break holidays for schools between January 1 to January 15, 2025. Schools are on winter break during the same period in the state of Haryana.
Such measures have been taken so as to avoid affecting the children, who will now not have to bear the impact of harsh cold weather conditions, coupled with severe pollution in the area.
Severe Cold Effects Daily Life
The sudden drop in temperatures has already impacted the daily life of residents in Uttar Pradesh, Delhi, and neighboring areas. Many cities, including Lucknow, Meerut, and Noida, are witnessing widespread fog and low visibility, which is disrupting both public and private transport systems.
Weather Updates Ahead
As the temperatures keep dropping, the local authorities advise the residents to be aware of any updates issued by the weather agencies or the administrative bodies. Students, parents, and the school authorities are advised to remain vigilant and follow the advisories so that safety is not compromised during this cold spell.
As the cold wave and fog continue to prevail, the Gautam Buddha Nagar administration has also taken prompt action to keep students safe by closing down schools up to Class 8. This is in line with how schools in Delhi and Haryana have already started taking winter break. The condition remains under strict observation, and updates will be provided based on the situation.