Written by Bhupendra PandeyDecember 29, 2025 03:52 PM IST 3 min readPrayagraj: People sit around a makeshift fire to warm themselves as dense fog blankets the area on a cold winter morning, in Prayagraj, Monday, Dec. 29, 2025. (PTI Photo)Owing to severe cold wave conditions across Uttar Pradesh, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has ordered the closure of all schools up to Class 12 till January 1. This applies across all boards — ICSE, CBSE, and UP Board.On December 28, the Lucknow (Airport) Observatory recorded a maximum temperature of 18.0°C — 3.1°C below normal — while the minimum was 10.4°C, 3°C above normal. On Tuesday, the MeT department has forecast that the fog cover is likely to be intense in East, West and Central UP regions.According to the Meteorological Department, the state can expect slight relief from the first day of the new year when cold conditions along with foggy nights are likely to decrease. However, it said some places in West UP may see light rain on January 1 due to a western disturbance.Meanwhile, UP’s Terai region will continue to face thick fog cover as well as zero visibility during night hours until the western disturbance subsides, confirmed the weather department in Lucknow.Senior Meteorological Department scientist, Atul Kumar Singh, told The Indian Express, “Cold day conditions will continue for next two days due to the western disturbance. While the minimum temperature in districts across UP have remained normal over the past several days — which is between 7°C and 12°C — the maximum temperature has been below normal. This is due to cold conditions during the day, with hardly any warm hours due to the absence of direct sunlight.”“There was no fog in Lucknow city yesterday… Today, too, it is clear… The fog cover is expected to intensify tomorrow. Fog conditions have remained intense in West and Central UP districts for several days and this will continue in these regions for another two days or throughout the week. Zero visibility due to fog was reported in Kanpur, Saharanpur, and Agra,” added SinghOn Sunday, among cities, Varanasi and Kanpur recorded the highest dip in maximum temperature at 13.5°C and 14.3°C, which is 9.2°C and 8.5°C below normal, respectively, according to MeT data.Story continues below this adIssuing directions, the Chief Minister has told top officials of the government and administration to remain on the field to personally assess the ground reality. The CM stated that in view of the intense cold, adequate arrangements for blankets and bonfires must be ensured at public places in all districts.Adityanath also issued special instructions to officials regarding the operation of night shelters and said no person in the state should be found sleeping in the open in this freezing cold. All necessary facilities, including bedding, blankets, and cleanliness, must be ensured at all night shelters.Bhupendra Pandey is the Resident Editor of the Lucknow edition of The Indian Express. With decades of experience in the heart of Uttar Pradesh’s journalistic landscape, he oversees the bureau’s coverage of India’s most politically significant state. His expertise lies in navigating the complex intersections of state governance, legislative policy, and grassroots social movements. From tracking high-stakes assembly elections to analyzing administrative shifts in the Hindi heartland, Bhupendra’s reportage provides a definitive lens on the region's evolution. Authoritativeness He leads a team of seasoned reporters and investigators, ensuring that The Indian Express’ signature "Journalism of Courage" is reflected in every regional story. His leadership is central to the Lucknow bureau’s reputation for breaking stories that hold the powerful to account, making him a trusted figure for policy analysts, political scholars, and the general public seeking to understand the nuances of UP’s complex landscape. Trustworthiness & Accountability Under his stewardship, the Lucknow edition adheres to the strictest standards of factual verification and non-partisan reporting. He serves as a bridge between the local populace and the national discourse, ensuring that regional issues are elevated with accuracy and context. By prioritizing primary-source reporting and on-the-ground verification, he upholds the trust that readers have placed in the Express brand for nearly a century. ... Read MoreStay updated with the latest - Click here to follow us on Instagram© The Indian Express Pvt Ltd