Ghaziabad: In view of the intense cold, the district authorities ordered on Friday to close all schools in Noida and Ghaziabad at the outskirts of Delhi till January 12, 2012.

The order for closure of all government as well as private schools has been issued by Ghaziabad District Magistrate, Shashi Bhushan.

He said that if the cold waves continue, schools may remain shut for few more days and if schools are opened against the order, the management and principal of schools will be prosecuted.

District Magistrate, Gautam Budh Nagar also directed schools to close primary and junior high school classes till January 12, 2012. The decision is applicable to all schools whether government, aided or private unaided. However, he allowed Higher Classes to function.

The Panchsheel Nagar District Magistrate also announced closure of schools in Hapur and other parts of the district till January 12, 2012.