Schools Reopen Amid Severe Cold Wave in Punjab; Attendance and Safety Concerns Raised

Schools across Punjab, including Amritsar, Ludhiana, and Jalandhar, reopened after the winter break amid severe cold wave conditions, with temperatures dropping to historic lows around 9.2°C. Parents and teachers expressed concern over student safety as many children showed signs of cold exposure, leading to low attendance and calls for extending school holidays. Meanwhile, other northern states like Uttar Pradesh and Jammu and Kashmir have delayed reopening due to cold and safety concerns, with some schools adopting hybrid learning models amid persistent fog and smog.