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A persistent cold wave sweeping across the Northeast has disrupted daily life in several states, prompting authorities in Assam and Tripura to either shut schools temporarily or revise school timings to safeguard students amid plunging temperatures.

 

In Assam, district administrations have issued a series of precautionary orders as cold conditions intensified over the past few days, particularly during early morning hours. In Kamrup (Metropolitan) district, revised school timings have come into effect from January 7 to 13. Under the directive, primary schools will function from 10 am to 1.30 pm, upper primary schools from 10 am to 2 pm, and secondary and senior secondary schools from 10 am to 2.30 pm. Authorities have instructed all heads of institutions to strictly adhere to the order, warning that any violation will be taken seriously.

 

In the hill district of Dima Hasao, the education department has ordered the closure of all schools from January 8 to January 17. The shutdown applies to government, provincialised and private institutions from lower primary to secondary levels, citing concerns over student health during the cold spell.

 

Meanwhile, in Dhubri district, all government and provincialised schools have been closed from January 7 to January 10, although institutions conducting examinations have been exempted. In Hojai district, authorities opted to revise school timings instead of a complete shutdown.

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Primary and middle schools will operate from 10 am to 1 pm, while secondary and senior secondary schools will function from 10 am to 2 pm. Ongoing Class X and Higher Secondary examinations will continue as scheduled.

 

The cold wave has affected normal life across Assam, with residents reporting delayed morning routines, reduced outdoor activity and increased demand for warm clothing and heating arrangements, especially in rural and hill areas.

 

In neighbouring Tripura, the state government has announced the closure of all schools from January 6 to January 10 due to extreme cold conditions. The decision applies to government, government-aided and privately managed schools across the state. Temperatures in several parts of Tripura have dropped to around 8 degrees Celsius, raising concerns for school-going children.