The district administration of Kamrup Metropolitan has ordered that all government and provincialised schools, including those in Guwahati, remain closed from 31 December 2025 to 6 January 2026 in response to an intense cold wave affecting the region.
Assam school closures cold wave measures and the official rationale
The decision, confirmed by the Chief Minister’s Office, aims to safeguard the health and well-being of students amid sharply falling temperatures. The India Meteorological Department reported a marked drop in readings on Tuesday, with Guwahati recording a maximum of 18.1 degrees Celsius—around 6.4 degrees below normal—and a minimum of 15.1 degrees Celsius.
Officials said the IMD forecast cloudy conditions with light rain or drizzle at times, together with shallow fog at isolated places across the district through Thursday. The IMD has attributed the persistent cold and cloudy weather to an upper air cyclonic circulation centred roughly 1.5 kilometres above mean sea level over parts of northeast Assam.
In its directive, the Inspector of Schools for Kamrup Metropolitan instructed school authorities to inform students, parents and staff about the closure, suspend all school-related activities for the duration and make necessary arrangements to ensure a smooth reopening on 7 January. The order covers government and provincialised institutions only; private schools have been advised to assess local conditions and decide independently on closures.
Local education officials emphasised that the action is precautionary. They noted that short-term disruptions are preferable to exposing children to prolonged cold and damp conditions that could increase the risk of illness. Authorities also advised families to take sensible precautions during the disruption, including ensuring young children are adequately clothed and avoiding unnecessary travel during periods of poor visibility.
Health and civic services in the city are on alert. The administration said municipal teams would monitor weather developments and stand ready to respond if conditions worsen. Public transport and emergency services have been advised to maintain contingency plans for any weather-related incidents.
Parents and guardians have been urged to stay informed through official channels. The Inspector of Schools asked institutions to communicate clearly about the resumption of classes and any catch-up arrangements schools may require once normal teaching recommences.
While the closure affects only government and provincialised schools, the disruption is likely to have wider effects on families and working arrangements in Guwahati and neighbouring areas. Employers and community organisations may need to accommodate short-term childcare challenges during the week-long break.
Authorities will review weather updates from the IMD in the run-up to 7 January and adjust plans if the situation changes. For now, the suspension of classes is a measured response intended to reduce health risks and keep young people safe until conditions improve.
Key Takeaways:
- All government and provincialised schools in Kamrup Metropolitan, including Guwahati, will remain closed from 31 December to 6 January as authorities respond to an intense cold wave.
- The India Meteorological Department reported temperatures well below normal and forecast cloudy skies, light rain or drizzle, and shallow fog; an upper air cyclonic circulation is influencing the region.
- The Inspector of Schools has ordered suspension of school activities and instructed authorities to inform parents and staff; private schools may decide locally.
- Assam school closures cold wave measures are intended to protect pupils, with normal academic activities scheduled to resume on 7 January.
