Jharkhand is currently in the grip of a deepening cold wave, with the Meteorological Department issuing a formal alert for Ranchi and 11 other districts on December 26th. Residents in Palamu, Garhwa, Chatra, Gumla, Latehar, Lohardaga, Hazaribagh, Koderma, Khunti, Bokaro, and Ramgarh are advised to take precautions against the severe chill.
On December 25th, the state witnessed a stark contrast in temperatures. Gumla recorded the lowest minimum temperature at a biting 4.0 degrees Celsius, earning it the title of the coldest location in Jharkhand. Meanwhile, Chaibasa reported the highest maximum temperature, reaching 27.4 degrees Celsius.
Temperatures dipped below 10 degrees Celsius in a total of 12 districts. Gumla’s 4.0°C was the lowest, followed by Khunti at 6.0°C. Other notable low temperatures included Hazaribagh at 7.2°C, Pakur at 7.6°C, Simdega and Latehar both at 7.9°C, Deoghar and Daltonganj at 8.1°C, Lohardaga at 8.2°C, Seraikela at 8.8°C, Bokaro at 9.5°C, and Chaibasa at 9.6°C.
The weather office forecasts that Ranchi and neighboring areas will experience minimum temperatures ranging from seven to nine degrees Celsius throughout the period of December 26th to December 29th. Maximum temperatures are projected to hover around 22 degrees Celsius on December 26th and 27th, with overnight lows dipping to near seven degrees. A slight moderation is expected on December 28th, with maximums rising to 23 degrees and minimums to eight degrees. The forecast for December 29th indicates a maximum of 23 degrees and a minimum of nine degrees Celsius.