ISLAMABAD (MNN); The Punjab Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) on Saturday issued a province-wide alert, warning of a sharp fall in temperatures from January 10 to 16 and urging all relevant departments to remain on high alert.
In an advisory sent to departments including Tourism, Education, Health, Agriculture, Local Government, Forest, Communication and Works, Transport, Rescue 1122, National Highways Authority and Police, the PDMA cautioned that several regions may experience severe cold conditions.
According to the authority, Rawalpindi, Murree, Galiyat and parts of the Potohar region are likely to receive snowfall accompanied by intense cold. It also warned that fog and smog could worsen in various parts of the province during the same period.
Educational institutions have been directed to issue instructions to students regarding the use of warm clothing, while school administrations have been advised to ensure classrooms are adequately protected from cold weather.
The PDMA said its control room is monitoring the situation round the clock and stressed that all departments must remain prepared to respond to any emergency. Citizens were advised to avoid unnecessary travel during adverse weather conditions and strictly follow official advisories.
Meanwhile, the Sindh government has revised school opening timings across the province in view of the prevailing cold spell. Under the new directive, all public and private schools will begin classes at 9:00am from January 12.
Officials said the decision was taken following consultations between Sindh Education Minister Sardar Shah and Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah. A notification issued by the education department stated that the revised timings will remain in effect for two weeks, until January 26.
Authorities clarified that school closing times will remain unchanged and only morning opening hours have been adjusted to protect students from extreme cold, particularly during early morning hours in both urban and rural areas. School administrations have been instructed to strictly implement the revised schedule.
In Punjab, Education Minister Rana Sikandar Hayat announced that winter vacations for all public and private schools across the province have been extended until January 19 due to the expected prolonged cold spell.
The announcement came a day after the minister had dismissed rumours circulating on social media about an extension and had stated that schools would reopen on January 12. However, he later conducted an online poll on X, asking whether schools should reopen on January 12 or January 19, with the majority voting in favour of January 19.
In a subsequent post, Hayat said the decision was taken on the advice of the PDMA in light of forecasts predicting extremely low temperatures in the coming days.
Separately, the Punjab Higher Education Department also extended winter vacations for higher educational institutions from January 10 to January 16 due to severe weather conditions. All public and private colleges will reopen on January 19, resuming normal academic activities.
The notification clarified that BS four-year programmes will continue as scheduled and that all examinations will be held according to the notified timetables of boards and universities.
Earlier, winter vacations in Punjab were scheduled from December 22 to January 10. Authorities also warned against fake notifications after a forged document claiming an extension of holidays until January 17 circulated on social media, causing confusion among parents and students.
