Lucknow, Jan 16 (IANS) Uttar Pradesh continued to shiver as the cold wave intensified Friday, a development which led to the closure of all schools up to class eight till Jan 21 in Lucknow, officials said.

The decision was taken after the regional met department predicted no change in the cold weather conditions for the next few days in the city, officials said.

Lucknow District Magistrate Rajshekhar, confirming the extension of the winter vacation, told IANS that schools will be open only for students of class nine to 12. However, the timings will be from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Officials have been asked to communicate the information to all the schools.

An education department official told IANS that the government is mulling closure of schools in other districts too. A decision to this effect would be taken soon, he said.

Schools in Lucknow were scheduled to open in the first week of January. However, winter vacation was extended twice due to the cold weather.

Dense fog and icy winds have also contributed to making life difficult for UP residents.