PINAKI MAJUMDAR
Jamshedpur, Nov 15: A cold-wave spell has descended on isolated pockets of western and adjoining central Jharkhand, even though no major synoptic system is in play.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has flagged several districts with a yellow alert, warning residents of sharply falling night-time temperatures caused by clear skies and calm winds.
According to the IMD bulletin, minimum temperatures have dipped below 10 degrees Celsius in Ranchi, Daltonganj, Khunti, Lohardaga, Gumla and Simdega.
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Despite the lack of a strong weather system, the conditions favor rapid radiative cooling: clear skies allow heat to escape into the atmosphere, and calm winds fail to mix warmer air back toward the surface.
The result is brutally cold nights in the affected districts, with temperatures dipping 2–3 °C below normal.
The IMD also warns of dense early-morning fog, which could significantly reduce visibility and pose risks for commuters.
Residents are being urged to take precautions, particularly the elderly and children, by staying warm, limiting prolonged exposure outdoors, and being careful while traveling in the early hours.
With the alert in place, the cold snap may linger unless weather conditions change.
