Primary classes shut due to cold

Even as Delhi recorded its coldest day of the season so far and the forecast predicting more chilly days ahead, the Delhi government has directed its  schools to suspend primary classes till January 23.

Private schools have been advised to amend their timings themselves.
“Due to ongoing cold weather and the forecast that temperatures may decrease further, it has been decided that primary classes (from KG to V) will remain suspended from January 21 to January 23,” a circular issued to schools by the Directorate of Education (DoE) said.

 For higher classes, it has issued directions to the morning-shift and general schools to start an hour later than the usual time and similarly evening shift will close an hour before.

Wednesday was the coldest day of the season so far with the day’s temperature settling at a low of 15.1 degree Celsius, five notches below the season’s normal. The minimum was recorded at 8.9 degrees, two notches above the season’s average.

Cold weather majorly disrupted railway services, with 67 Delhi-bound trains being cancelled, 16 being delayed and six rescheduled. However, flight operations were not affected.

“IGIA had dense fog only for two hours during 6:30-8:30 am. There was not any major problem in operation of scheduled flights in the last 24 hours. However, airport was under low visibility (200m-900m) due to low clouds/fog. It has created problem for helicopter and lower level smaller aircrafts take off/landing and their operation in these low clouds,” said Dr R K Jenamani, Head, IGI, MeT.

“Such persistent fog cover/ low clouds coverage for last two days over Delhi and adjoining areas such as Punjab, Haryana, north Rajasthan and most parts of Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh have been really pulling down day’s maximum temperature,” he said.

Visibility was recorded as 1,000 metres at 5.30 am, which dropped to 500 metres at 8:30 am. It improved to 800 metres at 11.30 am and further to 1,000 metres at 2.30 pm.