Mail News Service
Jamshedpur, Jan 15: Jharkhand woke up to a piercing winter morning on Thursday as Gumla slipped to 0.8°C, the lowest temperature recorded anywhere in the state, according to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), Ranchi.
The near-freezing reading placed Gumla at the epicentre of an intense cold wave sweeping across southern and western Jharkhand.
The biting chill was not confined to one pocket alone. IMD confirmed cold wave conditions in Daltonganj, Bokaro , Chaibasa, Gumla and Khunti, where frosty dawns disrupted normal life and slowed early-morning activity across towns and villages alike.
Khunti’s automatic weather station recorded 2.7°C, while Daltonganj dropped to 3.7°C and Bokaro Thermal to 6.1°C, all significantly below seasonal averages.
Even the capital Ranchi remained cold at 9.0°C, slightly under normal, while Jamshedpur shivered at 9.3°C, reflecting the cold spell’s grip over the Kolhan region.
Despite the icy nights, daytime temperatures showed a milder contrast. Chaibasa emerged as the warmest spot in the state with a maximum of 28.0°C, well above normal, followed by Daltonganj (25.6°C) and Jamshedpur (25.2°C).
Ranchi recorded 22.2°C, marginally below average, keeping the overall daytime weather pleasant under clear skies.
No rainfall was reported anywhere in Jharkhand over the last 24 hours.
However, early morning haze and stagnant cold air reduced visibility in several areas, with Jamshedpur recording the lowest visibility at 1,500 metres, hinting at shallow mist even though no dense fog was officially observed.
Meteorologists explain that the sharp fall in night temperatures is being driven by clear skies, dry north-westerly winds and strong radiational cooling, a winter pattern that allows surface heat to escape rapidly after sunset.
Such conditions are typical of mid-January and often produce extreme overnight chills in plateau and forested regions.
Looking ahead, the IMD has warned that cold wave conditions may persist in pockets of Jharkhand, especially in Gumla, Khunti, Latehar and Simdega, with nights likely to remain cold while days stay dry and sunny.
Residents, particularly the elderly, children and those living in exposed or rural areas, have been advised to limit early-morning and late-night exposure, keep warm and take precautions against cold-related illnesses.
With Gumla dipping to 0.8°C, Jharkhand has once again been reminded that winter is still in its harshest phase, and the cold is far from loosening its grip.
