The Kamrup (Metropolitan) district administration has ordered a one-week closure of educational institutions in Guwahati amid an extreme cold spell, the Chief Minister’s Office announced late on Tuesday. Government and provincialised schools will remain shut from 31 December 2025 through 6 January 2026. Regular classes are due to resume on 7 January.
What parents need to know about Assam school closures
The directive follows an advisory from the Inspector of Schools for Kamrup (Metropolitan), who urged heads of institutions to keep students at home and to suspend both academic and co-curricular activities during the period. The administration asked schools to notify parents, staff and pupils and to prepare for a smooth reopening once conditions permit.
Authorities cited a marked drop in daytime temperatures in the state capital. The Meteorological Department reported a maximum of 18.1°C on Tuesday, about 6.4°C below the seasonal average, while the minimum temperature was recorded at 15.1°C, 4.3°C above normal for this time of year. The unusual temperature pattern, combined with forecasts of shallow to moderate fog and isolated light rain, prompted the precautionary measure.
In its statement, the Chief Minister’s Office stressed that the closure is aimed at safeguarding students’ welfare. Schools were instructed to ensure that no on-site academic tasks or extracurricular events take place until the reopening date. Heads of institutions were also asked to take necessary steps to ensure a smooth resumption of classes on 7 January.
Local authorities and the schools’ administration are expected to monitor weather updates closely and keep parents informed. While the decision applies to government and provincialised institutions, private schools are commonly advised to follow local directives; parents should check communications from their children’s schools for specific arrangements.
The shutdown in Kamrup comes after neighbouring Gautam Buddha Nagar district issued its own short-term closures. Schools there were ordered to remain closed until 1 January 2026 amid dense fog, falling temperatures and rising pollution levels, affecting CBSE, ICSE, IB and state-board institutions in the district.
Meteorological forecasts indicate that fog may persist into Thursday morning in parts of Assam, with the possibility of light rain in isolated areas. Officials have urged residents to take appropriate precautions against the cold and to avoid unnecessary travel during periods of reduced visibility.
For parents, the immediate priorities are ensuring children are adequately dressed for cold conditions and staying abreast of school communications about any contingency academic arrangements. Schools have been reminded to refrain from scheduling any in-person examinations or events during the closure window.
The administration has not ruled out further advisories should the weather deteriorate. The public is advised to follow official channels for live updates on closures and reopening schedules. Times Now and local authorities will continue to provide the latest information as the situation develops.
Key Takeaways:
- Assam school closures: All government and provincialised schools in Kamrup (Metropolitan) will remain shut from 31 December 2025 to 6 January 2026 for student safety.
- The Inspector of Schools issued the advisory; normal classes will resume on 7 January 2026.
- Temperatures in Guwahati fell significantly below normal and the IMD forecasts isolated light rain and fog.
- Nearby Gautam Buddha Nagar also ordered school closures earlier due to dense fog and pollution.
