New Delhi — Imagine waking up in Indirapuram, wrapped in three layers, sipping adrak wali chai, and checking the news—only to find Lucknow has flat-out closed all schools up to class 8 till January 8. Yep, it’s that cold. The mercury is tanking, and while we in Delhi complain about fog delays on the Blue Line, kids in UP are getting an extra-long winter nap—officially.
When the Thermometer Drops, the Bell Doesn’t Ring
The Lucknow District Magistrate has ordered all schools—government, private, CBSE, ICSE—closed for students of nursery to class 8 until January 8, 2024, due to an intense cold wave sweeping across Uttar Pradesh. This isn’t just a “wear your monkey cap and suck it up” situation. The temperatures have dipped below 5°C in many parts of the city, with bone-chilling winds making it feel even colder. Add to this the dense morning fog that refuses to budge until 10 a.m., and it’s a health hazard for young children to head out.
Classes 9 and above are not part of the order—so older students still have to brave the cold, though some institutions have shifted to hybrid or reduced timings. The decision has been welcomed by parents across the city, especially in areas like Aliganj and Indira Nagar, where schools typically begin as early as 7:30 a.m. Now, teachers are attempting WhatsApp homework packets and Zoom assignments (yes, it’s 2024 and we’re still zooming).
Parents Get a Breather, But Is It All Good?
If you’re a working parent in Noida or even crossing border traffic from Ghaziabad daily, you know the juggle. Closures like this aren’t just about lolling at home in front of a heater. For many families, especially those with both parents working, it’s an unplanned childcare nightmare. One mom near Shipra Mall told me, “Mujhe toh wapas WFH karna pad gaya. Bacche ghar pe hain aur kaam bhi manage kar rahe hoon.”
However, safety remains non-negotiable. Daily commuters headed toward Saket or Rajiv Chowk know just how severe North Indian winters can get, especially with pollution mixed in. Pediatricians at Metro Hospital in Noida report a spike in cases of seasonal flu and bronchitis. Keeping children—especially under 10—indoors right now is *the* logical move. Also, a little winter break extension doesn’t hurt, right?
This Isn’t Lucknow’s First Chill Attack
Winter school closures in UP have become almost routine over past few years. In 2019 and 2022, similar week-long shutdowns happened due to dense fog and cold spells. The Indian Meteorological Department even issued red alerts back then. What’s new in 2024 is the more proactive stance—thanks to digital updates and local administrative apps like “UPCop” pushing live alerts.
Historically, cities like Lucknow and Kanpur have always recorded sharp temperature drops in early January. So while Delhiites may remember 2010’s infamous fog that shut down IGI Airport for days, people in Lucknow associate the post-New-Year week with fog so thick it could hide an entire school van. It’s part of the cycle—but now, we’re finally planning for it.
📍 Spot Check: Schools near Hazratganj, Gomti Nagar extension, and Faizabad Road are shuttered. Parents near Charbagh Railway Station have been advised not to send children for extracurriculars before 10 a.m. Vishal Khand’s St. Francis School and CMS campuses are among the many observing closure orders.
The Final Word
Delhi might be shivering too, but Lucknow is pulling the brakes hard—and that’s probably a good call. Instead of complaining about another week indoors, maybe take a page from their book and bundle up early. But here’s a question: if UP can take school health this seriously, shouldn’t Delhi NCR also have a clear cold-weather protocol?
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