Kashmir Declares Early School Break Amid Deep Freeze

Srinagar- With temperatures plunging to season's lowest across Kashmir and no major wet spell expected ahead, the government on Monday announced an early winter break for the youngest students and finalised the vacation schedule for schools across the Valley.

Education Minister Sakina Itoo said kindergarten classes will close from November 25 in view of the biting cold, following repeated appeals from parents. Winter vacations for Classes 1 to 8 will begin from December 1, while senior classes up to Class 12 are set to close around December 12 or 13, she said. The decision was taken after a high-level review of weather conditions and concerns over the hardship faced by younger children. Itoo added that the situation regarding textbooks and uniforms has been largely streamlined.

The announcement comes as Kashmir reels under an intensifying cold wave. Srinagar recorded its coldest night of the season at minus 3.2°C, while Pahalgam dipped to minus 4.0°C. Qazigund touched minus 2.5°C and Kupwara matched Srinagar at minus 3.2°C, according to the Meteorological Department. Day and night temperatures are expected to fall further by 1–2°C this week, with widespread fog likely to persist.

The MeT department has predicted dry weather until December 1, followed by a cloudy day on December 2 with a brief, very light snowfall possible over isolated higher reaches. Dry conditions are expected again from December 3 to 10 chill is set to deepen as the Valley approaches Chilla-i-Kalan - the 40-day harshest period of winter - beginning December 21.

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