UditVani, Jamshedpur : Jharkhand is reeling under an intensified cold wave as icy north-westerly winds sweep across the state, pulling down temperatures and prompting authorities to issue an alert for 11 districts.
The sudden drop in mercury marks one of the season’s earliest and sharpest cold spells, catching many residents off guard.
The Ranchi Meteorological Centre has sounded a cold wave alert for Ranchi, Khunti, Gumla, Lohardaga, Hazaribagh, Ramgarh, Latehar, Chatra, Bokaro, Koderma and Giridih, warning that night temperatures are likely to fall even further over the next 48 hours.
According to Met officials, the minimum temperature has dipped below 10°C in several pockets including Ranchi, Daltonganj, Bokaro, Hazaribagh and Khunti. The persistent flow of strong, dry north-westerly winds is amplifying the chill factor, making the weather feel colder than the recorded temperatures.
“This pattern indicates a steady intensification of the cold wave. A further drop of up to 2–3°C is expected, particularly during the early morning hours,” officials said, adding that the wind chill could make outdoor exposure increasingly uncomfortable.
Local authorities have urged residents to take adequate precautions. Health departments have advised people—especially children, the elderly and individuals with chronic illnesses—to avoid early morning and late evening exposure and to use multiple layers of warm clothing. Rural health centres have also been instructed to prepare for an expected rise in cold-related ailments.
In several parts of the state, dense mist and near-frost conditions were reported at dawn, while early-morning commuters struggled with reduced visibility. Vendors, daily wage earners and those working outdoors have been hit the hardest as temperatures plummeted overnight.
With winter making an unusually harsh early entry, Jharkhand is likely to remain under the grip of a severe cold spell for the next few days.
Disaster management teams and district administrations have been asked to remain on alert and ensure timely dissemination of weather updates to the public.
