School Summer Vacation: Severe heat wreaks havoc in North India, after Chandigarh-Haryana, preparations for holidays ahead of time in Punjab too

In the month of May, the harsh rays of the sun and the fire raining from the sky have left the entire North India in distress. The scorching heat and scorching heat in Punjab, Haryana and Union Territory Chandigarh has completely disrupted normal life. In most of the plain districts of Punjab, the mercury is currently being recorded above 40 degrees Celsius, while according to meteorologists, it may rise to the harsh level of 42 to 44 degrees Celsius in the coming days. In view of this terrible weather, the Chandigarh-based Meteorological Center has issued an ‘Orange Alert’ for the entire region till May 26, 2026, which directly means that the heatwave is going to become more deadly in the coming days. Chandigarh Administration announces holidays, strict advisory from Health Department. In view of this deadly heat, Chandigarh Administration, giving priority to the safety of children, has officially announced summer holidays in all government and private schools from May 23. Along with this, the Health Department has also issued a strong advisory for the general public: Restriction on going out in the afternoon: Common citizens have been specifically advised not to go out of their homes unnecessarily in the scorching afternoon sun and heat waves. Avoidance of physical exertion: It is advised to avoid activities requiring excessive physical exertion in this season. Attention of sensitive group: It has been requested to take special care regarding the health of newborn children, elderly and people who are already ill and not to allow dehydration in the body. Preparation for holidays ahead of time in Punjab also, Haryana changed the rules. After the tough decisions of Chandigarh and Haryana, now the murmur of declaring holidays ahead of time is very strong in the neighboring state of Punjab also. Probable date for Punjab: According to concrete information received from administrative sources, this time summer holidays in government and private schools of Punjab can start from 25th May 2026, which will reopen directly on 1st July. It is believed that the Education Department will soon issue an official order in this regard as soon as it gets the green signal from the Chief Minister’s Office. On the other hand, in view of the scorching heat and heat wave in Haryana also, the government has taken a big step. Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini, after holding an emergency review meeting with top officials of the education department, announced that all schools in the state will remain completely closed from May 25. Since May 24 is a weekly holiday on Sunday, children will now have to go to school only till Saturday (May 23). It is noteworthy that earlier these holidays in Haryana were to start from June 1, but in view of the harsh weather conditions, the government had to implement its decision earlier. Schools are already closed in Delhi and Rajasthan, there is opposition to opening in June. Talking about other states of North India, the situation there is more or less the same: Delhi NCR: In view of the rising temperature in the country’s capital Delhi, government schools were closed prematurely on May 11. These schools of Delhi will now open directly for the new session on 1st July. At the same time, most of the renowned private schools of Delhi have also declared summer vacation. Rajasthan: The mercury is also at record levels in Marudhara, due to which the Rajasthan government has announced summer holidays from 17 May to 20 June 2026. However, this time the total duration of holidays (Working Days) has been slightly reduced by the state government. Parents and teachers unions are strongly opposing this decision of the government. Their argument is that there is severe heat in Rajasthan in the month of June, in such a situation, reopening of schools after June 20 will play with the health of children. Parents are demanding that these holidays should be extended till at least 30th June.