Chandigarh: All primary classes in private or in government-run schools here will be shut until January 10 in view of the intense cold, the Chandigarh administration announced on Tuesday.

There are around 110 government and 55 private schools in Chandigarh.

"We had earlier issued these instructions only for government schools but now we have decided to also cover private schools under these orders. We hope that by January 10 there would be some respite from this harsh cold and fog," said an official of the Union Territory's education department.

"We welcome this decision. The sharp dip in mercury has made children more prone to various kinds of infections. So it is better to extend the winter break," said Ashish Sharma, who has a six-year-old son.

The Punjab education department has also decided to extend until January 8 the winter break of all schools (both private and government) in Ludhiana district.

The Panchkula district administration in Haryana has directed schools to open one-and-a-half hours later than the usual timings until the weather clears. IANS