UditVani, Jamshedpur : Jharkhand continued to reel under intense winter conditions as a severe cold wave accompanied by dense fog gripped large parts of the state, the India Meteorological Department (IMD), Ranchi, stated in a bulletin issued this morning.
In the state capital, Ranchi recorded a maximum temperature of 19.4°C, which is 4.1 degrees below normal, while the minimum temperature dipped to 6.6°C, remaining 2.5 degrees below the seasonal average.
No rainfall was recorded anywhere in the state during the past 24 hours.
Among major cities, Jamshedpur logged a maximum of 23.5°C and a minimum of 7.7°C, both below normal. Daltonganj experienced a particularly cold day, with temperatures ranging between 20.6°C and 4.1°C.
Bokaro recorded a maximum of 20.1°C and a minimum of 6.7°C, while Chaibasa was the warmest station in the state with a daytime high of 24.8°C.
The cold wave turned severe in several pockets, with Khunti AWS recording the lowest minimum temperature at just 2.1°C.
The IMD confirmed cold wave to severe cold wave conditions over Khunti, Ranchi (including Kanke), Lohardaga, Daltonganj, Bokaro Thermal and Chaibasa, warning residents to remain cautious.
Fog conditions further worsened the situation, significantly reducing visibility in parts of the state.
Daltonganj reported the lowest visibility at merely 300 metres, while Deoghar recorded 600 metres, affecting early morning traffic and routine activities.
Data from Automated Weather Stations showed persistently low temperatures across districts such as Hazaribagh, Gumla and Koderma, where maximum temperatures remained below 20°C despite marginal daytime fluctuations.
Night temperatures continued to remain critically low across most regions.
The IMD has advised people, particularly the elderly, children and those exposed to open conditions, to take adequate precautions as harsh winter conditions are likely to persist in isolated areas of Jharkhand over the coming days.
