Uttar Pradesh shuts all schools until January 1 amid intense cold conditions, dense fog

The Uttar Pradesh government has decided to shut all schools up to Class 12, across all boards (ICSE, CBSE, and UP Board) until January 1 amid intense cold conditions, dense fog, the order said. Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath emphasised that children’s safety is a top priority during the cold wave and warned that any lapse in this regard would not be tolerated.

Yogi Adityanath on Sunday stated that the state government is determined to ensure that no poor or needy person suffers amid the current severe cold conditions, according to PTI.

Highlighting the resolve of the “double-engine government”, he stated that sufficient funds have been allocated to all districts for blanket distribution, the running of night shelters and the setting up of bonfires.

After assessing two night shelters in Gorakhpur city, the chief minister informed reporters that district administrations have been instructed to ensure all necessary facilities at shelter homes, including adequate beds, blankets, cleanliness, and food for those in need.

1,247 night shelters to 9,949 people: UP govt

So far, the state has reportedly set up 1,247 night shelters, which have provided shelter to 9,949 people.

District administrations have been directed to maintain proper arrangements at these shelters, including cleanliness, hot water, adequate lighting, and security, according to an official statement.

The state government has also focused on blanket distribution to protect residents from the cold. Over the past three years, an average of 10,65,889 blankets have been procured annually, with a total expenditure of roughly ₹44.38 crore, it mentioned.

Under the current initiative, ₹17.55 crore has been released to all districts for blanket procurement, and purchase orders have been issued by all 75 districts, it stated, adding, of the total, 3,78,884 blankets have already been supplied, and 1,40,364 blankets have been distributed to those in need, with the remaining distribution in progress.

In addition, extensive measures have reportedly been taken to light bonfires in public areas, with ₹1.75 crore allocated to districts for this purpose. The government is regularly updating the status of these bonfires on its relief portal to ensure continuous monitoring, it continued.

To reduce fog-related accidents, the state is leveraging technology extensively, the report noted. The Relief Commissioner’s office has sent 33.27 crore alert SMS messages through the Sachet app and web portal to both officials and the general public in affected areas.

Furthermore, departments including UPIDA, NHAI, and PWD are consistently issuing fog-related alerts to district magistrates and police via email, the statement added.