pakistan(National Times)- QUETTA: The winter vacations in schools across Balochistan are starting today (Monday) as cold weather intensifies in the province, the education authorities announced this morning.  An official statement issued by the Balochistan Education Department said that the schools, colleges and universities will close in 20 districts, including Quetta, from today.  As per the winter vacation schedule announced by the authorities, the educational institutes in areas with colder weather will remain closed till February 28.  Meanwhile, the parts of the southwestern province with relatively warmer weather will have a 10-day vacation period, starting January 1 till January 10. Weather remained extremely cold in most areas of the interior Balochistan and northern districts. The weather is expected to remain ice cold in most districts of Balochistan, whereas mountainous areas are expected to experience freezing condition. The temperature dipped as low as -1 degrees Celsius in Quetta valley and -3°C in Kalat.