Excelsior Correspondent
SRINAGAR, Nov 22: Administration in Kashmir is considering winter vacation for schools in view of extreme weather conditions for the last few days.
Divisional Commissioner, Kashmir, V K Bhiduri told reporters here that a proposal for the early winter vacations has been submitted to the Government.
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“I cannot say anything definitely till a formal announcement is made but we are seriously considering it (winter vacations). A proposal has been submitted in this regard (to the administration),” he said.
He said that the administration wants to ensure that the students do not suffer academically before announcing winter vacations.
“We have to balance both things. The academic session of schools is planned and we have to figure out several things, including board examinations. The way the weather has changed, the Government is considering this issue. A formal announcement will be made in a day or two,” he said.
The official said schools are likely to be closed in a phased manner according to past practice.
“We may not close all the classes in one go. Maybe primary classes will be closed in the beginning, then middle level and later senior secondary classes. In all likelihood, the primary classes will continue only till the end of this week,” he said.
Bhiduri said the schools have been sensitized about the need for heating arrangements. “We cannot issue general instructions as some schools have good heating arrangements and some don’t. However, we have sensitised the schools about the issue,” he said.
Meanwhile, Srinagar city recorded the coldest night of this season as the minimum temperature settled below the freezing point across Kashmir, officials said here today.
Fog engulfed the valley in the morning hours, disrupting incoming air traffic to Srinagar international airport.
However, normal flight operations resumed soon as the fog dissipated due to increase in temperature.
The dense fog cover in the mornings is due to the intensifying cold wave conditions in the Valley.
Srinagar, the summer capital of Jammu and Kashmir, recorded a low of minus 1.8 degrees Celsius compared to minus 1.2 degrees Celsius a night earlier, the officials said adding it was the coldest night in the city this winter.
Pahalgam was the coldest recorded place in Kashmir as the minimum settled at minus 3.3 degrees Celsius while Pulwama recorded a low of minus 3.2 degrees Celsius on Tuesday night, they said.
Qazigund, the gateway town to Kashmir, recorded a low of 1.0 degrees Celsius while Kupwara recorded a low of minus 1.4 degrees Celsius.
Gulmarg ski resort in north Kashmir and Kokernag in South Kashmir were the only places where the minimum settled above the freezing point on Tuesday night. Gulmarg recorded minimum temperature of 0.6 degrees Celsius while Kokernag recorded 0.3 degrees Celsius, they said.
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