Jharkhand Shivers: Cold Wave tightens grip as mercury plunges across 11 districts

Mail News Service

Jamshedpur, Nov 17: Jharkhand is in the grip of a biting cold wave as icy north-westerly winds sweep across large parts of the state, sending temperatures tumbling and prompting a weather alert from the Ranchi Meteorological Centre.

The Met department has issued a cold wave warning for 11 districts—Ranchi, Khunti, Gumla, Lohardaga, Hazaribagh, Ramgarh, Latehar, Chatra, Bokaro, Koderma and Giridih—where temperatures have dipped sharply over the last 24 hours.

Officials have cautioned that the chill is expected to intensify further over the next two days.

According to meteorologists, the minimum temperature has already slipped below 10°C in several areas, including Ranchi, Daltonganj, Koderma, Bokaro, Hazaribagh and Khunti.

The combination of low temperatures and strong, dry north-westerly winds is creating severe cold conditions, particularly during late night and early morning hours.

“Wind speeds are likely to remain high, which will increase the cold sensation even if the temperature remains steady,” officials said, adding that a further drop of 2–3°C is expected in many districts.

Local administrations have urged residents—especially children, the elderly and those with respiratory or chronic illnesses—to avoid unnecessary exposure to cold, wear layered clothing, and stay indoors during peak chilly hours.

Schools have also been advised to remain alert and consider necessary adjustments if conditions worsen.

Meanwhile, rural areas reported frost-like conditions at dawn, and urban centres witnessed a noticeable dip in morning visibility due to dense mist.

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