In response to the persistent and severe cold wave conditions, the district administration in Ranchi has announced a further extension of school closures for younger students. Educational institutions will remain shut for pupils from kindergarten (KG) up to Class 6 until Sunday, January 14.
Administration's Order to Protect Young Students
The decision was formalized on Sunday by Deputy Commissioner Manjunath Bhajantri, just ahead of the scheduled Monday reopening. The order, issued under Section 163 of the Indian Civil Security Code, prioritizes the health and safety of children. Classes from KG to 6 will remain suspended from January 12 to January 14.
The directive is based on a bulletin from the India Meteorological Department (IMD) in Ranchi, which forecasts severe cold conditions for the coming days. The district has been placed in the yellow zone category, indicating cautionary weather.
Revised Schedules for Older Students and Exams
While younger children stay home, the administration has allowed classes to resume for older students with adjusted timings. Students from Class 7 to Class 12 will attend school from 10 am onwards, a measure likely intended to avoid the coldest morning hours.
The order mandates strict compliance from all private schools. However, it provides flexibility for scheduled examinations. "If any school has examinations scheduled during the said period, they may conduct the examinations at their discretion," the administration's notification clarified.
IMD's Yellow Alert Across Jharkhand Districts
The broader weather scenario in Jharkhand remains concerning. On Sunday, the IMD issued a yellow alert for cold wave conditions in several districts from January 13 to 16.
The alert covers districts including Garhwa, Palamu, Chatra, Latehar, Lohardaga, and Gumla. Hazaribag district is under a similar alert from January 14 to 16.
Gumla recorded the state's lowest temperature at a chilling 2.8 degrees Celsius. Palamu (Daltonganj) followed at 4.9 degrees Celsius, and Khunti at 5.6 degrees Celsius.
Explaining the phenomenon, Abhishek Anand, a senior scientist at IMD Ranchi, stated, "North-westerly winds continue to prevail over Jharkhand leading to cold wave conditions in several districts." This pattern has prompted phased holiday declarations by various district administrations since January 5, initially affecting schools up to Class 12.
