Lucknow Schools Closed Until January 8 Amid Severe Cold Wave

Schools Remain Shut for Younger Students

In response to a persistent cold wave and widespread dense fog, schools in Lucknow have extended their closure for students up to Class 8 until January 8, 2026. The directive, issued by the Lucknow District Magistrate, emphasizes the safety and well-being of young children during the prevailing harsh winter conditions.

The order applies to all government, government-aided, recognized private schools, and Kasturba Gandhi Balika Vidyalayas (KGBV) within the district.

Impact of Cold Wave and Fog

The decision follows alerts from the India Meteorological Department (IMD) forecasting continued cold wave conditions and low visibility. Lucknow experienced its coldest day of the season on January 2, 2026, with the maximum temperature dropping to 14.6 degrees Celsius, which is 5.5 degrees below normal. The minimum temperature recorded was 8.6 degrees Celsius. Dense fog has also significantly reduced visibility across the city and other parts of Uttar Pradesh, impacting daily life and travel.

Guidelines for Older Students and Schools

While classes for students up to Class 8 are suspended, schools have been advised to adjust timings for older students. For Classes 9 to 12, schools are permitted to operate from 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM.

The administration has also issued specific guidelines to ensure student comfort and safety once schools resume or for older classes currently in session. These include:

• Ensuring adequate arrangements to protect students from the cold in classrooms.
• Utilizing heaters to maintain a normal temperature in each room.
• Relaxing uniform norms, allowing students to wear additional warm clothing.
• Prohibiting students from sitting outside or in the open for classes or examinations.

These measures aim to mitigate the health risks associated with exposure to the severe cold for students attending school.