PINAKI MAJUMDAR
Jamshedpur, Dec 30: Large parts of Jharkhand continue to reel under cold wave conditions and dense fog, with night temperatures dipping sharply below normal across several districts.
The IMD report, based on observations recorded at 8.30 am today, said Ranchi recorded a maximum temperature of 24.3°C, marginally 0.9°C above normal, while the minimum temperature fell to 5.4°C, which is 3.1°C below the seasonal average.
Jamshedpur registered a maximum of 23.4°C, 2.3°C below normal, and a minimum of 8.6°C, also below normal by 1.9°C.
Daltonganj remained particularly cold, with the maximum temperature settling at just 16.0°C, a sharp 8.6°C below normal, while the minimum temperature was recorded at 5.0°C, 3.4°C below average.
Bokaro recorded a maximum of 21.6°C and a minimum of 7.1°C, both significantly below normal levels.
Chaibasa emerged as the warmest location in the state, recording the highest maximum temperature of 26.8°C.
The lowest minimum temperature in Jharkhand was recorded at Gumla, where the mercury dipped to 2.4°C, triggering cold wave conditions.
Cold wave conditions were also reported from Khunti (3.7°C) and Bokaro Thermal, the IMD bulletin noted.
Dense to moderate fog affected visibility at several locations.
Daltonganj reported the lowest visibility of just 300 metres, while fog was also observed at Jamshedpur (500 metres), Deoghar (650 metres) and other parts of the state, impacting early morning movement.
No rainfall was recorded anywhere in Jharkhand during the past 24 hours, with all stations reporting nil precipitation.
Automated Weather Station (AWS) data further highlighted the severity of the cold. Deoghar recorded a maximum temperature of 18.0°C, while Koderma and Hazaribagh reported maximum temperatures of 16.1°C and 16.4°C, respectively.
According to statistics, Khunti recorded 3.7°C and Lohardaga at 4.6°C.
The IMD has advised residents to take precautions against cold wave conditions, particularly during night and early morning hours, and urged commuters to remain cautious due to reduced visibility caused by fog.
The cold spell is likely to persist over the next few days as winter conditions intensify across the state.
