Intense Cold Grips North India: Punjab Schools Extend Holidays; UP, Rajasthan Also Shut

• Severe cold wave and IMD's heavy rainfall warning (cyclonic circulation in Bay of Bengal) lead to extended school holidays across North India.
• Uttar Pradesh: Schools (Nursery-Class 8) closed till January 15; (Class 9-12) till January 8. All boards affected, strict action against violators.
• Punjab: Winter holidays extended until January 7 by Education Minister Harjot Singh Bains due to increasing cold.
• Rajasthan: Schools closed till January 7; Jaipur's Anganwadi centers closed from January 2-10.
• Southern India: IMD warns of 2-4°C temperature drop in Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, Karaikal by Jan 7; recent heavy rains caused waterlogging and crop damage.

Why It Matters: India faces extreme weather; schools in Punjab, UP, Rajasthan extend holidays due to cold and rain.