Jharkhand News : Jharkhand continues to reel under an intense cold wave coupled with dense fog, bringing daily life to a standstill. There is no immediate relief from the biting cold as temperatures across the state have dropped sharply, while visibility has fallen to critical levels, severely affecting air, rail, and road transport.
On Sunday, Lohardaga recorded the lowest minimum temperature in the state at just 3°C, making it the coldest district. Other regions also witnessed a steep fall in mercury, with McCluskieganj at 5°C and Kanke at 7.3°C. The chilling winds have intensified the cold, making both mornings and nights unbearable.
❄️ Visibility Hits Dangerously Low Levels
Dense fog reduced visibility to alarming levels:
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Ranchi: 400 meters
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Jamshedpur: 500 meters
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Medininagar: 800 meters
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Deoghar: Only 200 meters
Due to poor visibility, seven flights were cancelled from Birsa Munda Airport on Sunday alone, while several others were delayed by hours. Rail and bus services were also affected, causing inconvenience to passengers.
🌡️ Temperature Drop Across Districts
| District | Minimum Temp (°C) |
|---|---|
| Lohardaga | 3.0 |
| Gumla | 5.2 |
| Medininagar | 6.9 |
| Latehar | 7.2 |
| Ranchi | 7.8 |
| Hazaribagh | 8.1 |
| Khunti | 9.1 |
According to the Meteorological Department, minimum temperatures dropped by 1–3°C and maximum temperatures by up to 5°C within 24 hours, worsening the cold conditions.
⚠️ Yellow Alert Issued
Weather scientist Abhishek Anand confirmed that cold winds from the north are responsible for the sudden temperature drop. A yellow alert for dense fog has been issued for Monday in northern Jharkhand districts from Palamu to Santhal Pargana, especially those bordering Bihar.
✈️ Flights Delayed for Hours
Several flights operated with long delays:
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Ranchi–Bengaluru: delayed up to 3 hours
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Ranchi–Hyderabad: 2.5 hours delay
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Ranchi–Mumbai & Delhi routes: delayed by 1–2 hours
🔎 Outlook
The cold wave and foggy conditions are expected to persist over the next few days. Authorities have advised people to remain cautious during early morning and night travel, while passengers are urged to check flight and train schedules before commuting.
