India Shuts Schools Amid Brutal Cold Wave; States Announce Closures

• Widespread school closures ordered across northern and eastern India due to severe cold wave, dense fog, and safety concerns.
• Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, and Jharkhand have declared closures or extended breaks, with UP schools shut until January 1, 2026.
• Ranchi (Jharkhand) schools closed till December 31, and Patna (Bihar) schools up to Class 8 closed until December 30.
• Jammu & Kashmir sees prolonged closures, with classes 1-8 shut from December 1, 2025, to February 28, 2026.
• Governments are providing winter assistance, including over 1,200 night shelters, blankets, and public warming stations.

Why It Matters: India's cold wave forces extensive school closures and prompts government winter aid efforts.