Cold tightens grip in Jharkhand as mercury dips to 16.5°C

Mail News Service

Ranchi, Oct 16: With the retreat of the monsoon, Jharkhand is steadily slipping into winter mode as temperatures continue to fall across the state.

The minimum temperature has dropped to 16.5°C in Latehar — the lowest recorded so far this season.

According to IMD, several districts have witnessed a noticeable dip in both maximum and minimum temperatures.

The coming festive week, including Diwali, is expected to bring a pleasant chill, giving residents a taste of early winter.

On Friday, October 17 parts of the state may see partly cloudy skies, though the weather will largely remain dry.

By Saturday, clear conditions are likely to prevail across Jharkhand. The Met office predicts no major changes in temperature over the next five days.

In district-wise readings, Lohardaga recorded a minimum temperature of 18.4°C, Ranchi 19.9°C, Daltonganj 20.5°C, and Bokaro 20.5°C.

Meanwhile, Godda was the warmest in the past 24 hours with a maximum temperature of 34.3°C.

Minimum Temperatures to Plunge in November

Jharkhand is witnessing an early onset of winter this year, with temperatures starting to dip well before the usual mid-November chill.

While the state generally experiences cold from mid-November, this year’s drop in mercury began as early as late October.

The Meteorological Department has warned that the cold is likely to be more intense and widespread than usual.

Experts point out that heavy snowfall in the Himalayan region this year will directly impact northern, central, and eastern India, including Jharkhand.

From the second week of November, the state is expected to experience a sharp drop in temperatures.

Forecasts indicate that from the last week of December to the second week of January, mercury levels could break records seen over several years.

La Nina Impact

The phenomenon of La Niña is contributing to this intensified cold. During La Niña, sea surface temperatures in the eastern Pacific Ocean fall significantly below average, affecting weather patterns across India and several other countries.

Due to this, average temperatures in the region could fall by 3–4°C, making the winter feel harsher than usual.

Dense Fog

Dense fog is also expected to disrupt transport services. In response, the railways have temporarily canceled two major trains: the tri-weekly 12873 Hatia–Anand Vihar Terminal train will remain suspended from December 1 to February 26.

Residents are advised to prepare for the approaching intense winter and take necessary precautions.