Guwahati Schools Shut for Week Amid Freezing Cold Wave

Thousands of school children in Kamrup Metropolitan district will get a much-needed break from early morning classes and schools in the district will remain closed for a week, starting December 31, 2025, as authorities move to protect students from the harsh winter conditions.

With consent from the Assam government, the decision was announced by the Office of the District Elementary Education Officer (DEEO) under Samagra Shiksha, following approval from the District Commissioner, Kamrup Metropolitan. Schools will remain shut till January 6, 2026, reopening once temperatures show signs of easing.

Guwahati and surrounding areas have been witnessing a sharp drop in temperatures, making it increasingly difficult—especially for younger children—to cope with cold mornings. Officials said the closure was a precautionary step, with student health and safety taking priority over routine schedules. “The well-being of children comes first in such extreme weather,” sources in the education department said.

Heads of schools have been directed to immediately inform parents, students, and teaching and non-teaching staff about the closure. They have also been instructed to ensure that no academic, co-curricular, or extracurricular activities are conducted during this period. Schools are expected to use the break for basic maintenance and planning so that classes can resume smoothly once they reopen.

Private schools, meanwhile, have been left to take their own call based on local conditions. However, many are likely to follow the government’s lead as the cold wave continues to affect large parts of the region.

The move mirrors similar steps taken across the country, with several states such as Uttar Pradesh and Delhi extending winter vacations or delaying school timings due to cold weather, dense fog, and pollution. In Assam too, school hours had been adjusted earlier in response to weather-related challenges.

Parents have largely welcomed the decision, relieved that children will not have to brave the cold, though some remain concerned about possible disruptions to the academic calendar. Authorities have advised families to stay alert to winter-related health issues, including respiratory infections and hypothermia, particularly among young children. Further updates will be issued if weather conditions change.