Cold compels school closure in Bihar

PATNA - With an intense cold wave claiming 30 lives in Bihar so far, authorities in the state capital Monday extended closure of all public and private schools till Tuesday.

“The Patna district administration has ordered to close all schools till Tuesday to provide relief to children from the intense cold,” officials said here.

The schools were originally scheduled to reopen Jan 4 after Christmas holidays but cold wave conditions compelled authorities to extend their closure twice. They are now scheduled to reopen Wednesday.

At least 30 people have been killed due to the cold so far. The weather has affected normal life in the state.

According to Met officials, chilly north westerly winds have swept the state though the minimum temperature has increased since Sunday.

Gaya recorded a minimum temperature of 8.3 degrees Celsius while Patna registered a low of 11.29 degrees Celsius Monday.

Dense fog has disrupted air and rail services with several flights and long-distance trains running late.