PINAKI MAJUMDAR
Jamshedpur, January 6: Jharkhand experienced an intense winter chill on Tuesday as cold wave conditions strengthened across most parts of the state. Gumla emerged as the coldest location, recording the season’s lowest minimum temperature of 2.2°C.
Night Temperatures Dip Below Normal
According to the India Meteorological Department’s (IMD) realised weather report based on morning observations, night temperatures fell well below normal in several districts, triggering biting cold and dense fog in many areas.
Gumla’s minimum temperature was nearly two degrees below normal, underlining the severity of the cold wave prevailing over the plateau region.
Temperatures Across Major Cities
Jamshedpur recorded a minimum temperature of 9.3°C, slightly below its seasonal average. Ranchi reported 7.2°C, Bokaro 6.7°C, and Daltonganj cooled to 4.6°C.
Chaibasa logged a minimum of 7.4°C, but also recorded the state’s highest daytime temperature at 24.8°C.
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Automated Weather Stations Confirm Severe Cold
Data from Automated Weather Stations showed minimum temperatures of around 3.9°C in Lohardaga and Koderma, 3.7°C in Khunti, and 3.8°C in Hazaribagh. Even relatively warmer districts such as Deoghar and Pakur saw temperatures drop to 6.5–6.9°C.
IMD Issues Advisory
The IMD confirmed cold wave conditions over Gumla, Lohardaga, Khunti, Koderma, Bokaro, Hazaribagh and Chaibasa. Fog was reported in Ranchi, Daltonganj and Deoghar, affecting early morning visibility. No rainfall was recorded anywhere in the state during the past 24 hours.
Meteorologists have advised residents, particularly in western and central Jharkhand, to take precautions against cold-related health issues, as low night temperatures are likely to persist over the next few days.
