Jamshedpur, Jan 5: A severe cold wave continues to grip Jharkhand, including Jamshedpur and surrounding districts, prompting the state government to order the closure of all schools for students until January 8. The decision has been taken in view of the increasing impact of extreme cold conditions across the state.
According to a press release issued by the Additional Secretary of the Jharkhand government, classes from pre-nursery to Class 12 in all government, government-aided, and private unaided schools will remain closed from January 6 to January 8. The order applies uniformly across urban and rural areas, including industrial cities like Jamshedpur, where temperatures have dipped sharply over the past few days.
However, the closure is applicable only for students. Teachers and non-teaching staff have been instructed to attend schools as usual during this period. The government has also clarified that if any pre-board examinations were scheduled during these dates, the concerned competent authority may take a decision regarding their conduct based on local conditions.
Meanwhile, cold conditions have intensified across Jharkhand. According to the Meteorological Department, the lowest minimum temperature in the state was recorded in Lohardaga at 3.4 degrees Celsius. Gumla followed closely with 4.1 degrees Celsius, while Latehar recorded 5.6 degrees Celsius. The state capital Ranchi recorded a minimum temperature of 6.4 degrees Celsius.
Deputy Director of the Ranchi Meteorological Centre, Abhishek Anand, said that the sharp drop in temperature is due to north-westerly winds blowing at lower levels of the troposphere. Several districts, including Bokaro, Koderma, Hazaribagh, Khunti, Simdega, Palamu, and parts of East Singhbhum district where Jamshedpur is located, reported minimum temperatures below 10 degrees Celsius.
The Meteorological Department has advised people to take precautions, especially children and the elderly, as cold wave conditions are likely to persist in the coming days.
