Mercury witnesses an abrupt rise in Jamshedpur, winter exits

Jamshedpur, March 3: It’s time to pack woollens and other warm clothes as the temperature witnesses an abrupt rise across the region signalling winter’s exit in the next few days.

Weathermen at the Patna Meteorological Centre said that the countdown for winter’s retreat from the state has begun. The minimum temperature has already crossed the 16 degree Celsius mark.

In weather parlance, winter exists if night readings stay below 13  degree Celsius. In most areas, temperatures have already crossed this mark, while a detailed analysis has revealed that there is no possibility of a fresh plunge. ” If the minimum readings continue to be over 13 degree mark for the next few days we will officially declare the exit of winter from the state,” said an official of the Patna Meteorological Centre.

The region is in the grip of a pressure gradient which is caused due to fluctuation in wind pattern and heating of the lower level of atmosphere. ” The nature of winds was an indication of spring — a pre-summer transition phase that should last at least a month,” he said, adding that the wind was fluctuating between westerly and north-westerly for the last couple of days.

The Met office has announced a dry weather in Jharkhand for the next 48 hours. ” Weather will be mainly dry with clear sky in most places during the next two days. Both the maximum and minimum temperatures will witness a rising trend,” said a weather analyst at the Patna Meteorological Centre.

The prevailing westerly winds have propelled a mercury rise in most parts of the state. The local weather office recorded a maximum of around 26 degree Celsius. Yesterday, too, Jamshedpur had recorded a maximum reading of 28 degree Celsius,  six notches above normal.

The official added that the dry westerly and northwesterly winds from Bay of Bengal are making the temperature rise. Temperatures will remain above normal till this weekend at least. Only a sudden downpour can give relief from heat.

 When contacted, Dr. U K Srivastava said that the onset of summer also calls for precautions to protect against the sun.  Last year, about 50 cases of heat stroke were registered at the MGM Hospital. A considerable amount of patients with skin infections and sun burns were also treated

 He said that people visiting his clinic complaining of heatstroke and skin infections have increased and patients are complaining about the rise in temperature.