Jharkhand is still suffering under a severe cold wave, and the low temperatures and heavy morning fog are interfering with normal life in a number of districts. The mercury has been lower than usual in most places in the state within the last few days, and this has made early mornings and evenings especially unpleasant to the inhabitants. As weather analysts put it, no one can expect relief in the near future, and cold weather is expected to continue in the next five days.
In a few districts such as the Ranchi, Gumla, Simdega, Palamu and Latehar, minimum temperatures have greatly dropped. Night temperatures have fallen to near single digits in certain areas, and heavy fog has reduced visibility to a minute in the early part of the morning. This has impacted road traffic, train services and flight operations, which have led to delays and inconvenience to commuters.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has also blamed the cold wave on the northerly and north-westerly winds that carry cold air from the northern areas to Jharkhand. The presence of clear skies at night is also adding to the drastic fall in temperatures, and making the night and early morning hours even colder.
From a five-day weather forecast, the IMD officials have reported that the state will experience clear weather with cloudless skies for most of the time. Nevertheless, the minimum temperatures will not be high, particularly in the nights and early mornings. Although the rise of one to two degrees Celsius in the night temperatures may be marginal, in general, there is a probability that cold wave conditions will persist in many districts.
Temperatures may be quite constant during the day, but it will be cold in the mornings and evenings, although in the afternoons it will be a bit better. Another thing that is likely to continue is fog in low-lying regions, especially in the north-western regions of the state, and this poses a danger of highway accidents.
The cold weather has caused anxiety to the sensitive groups in society, such as the elderly, children, as well as daily wage earners. Health specialists have also encouraged individuals to be careful, enough as wearing warm attire, not being exposed to cold wind in the early hours, and ensuring that they are hydrated. The farmers have also been encouraged to shield crops against cold stress, particularly the vegetables and pulses.
The state administration has invited people to stay alert and take notice of weather warnings. The situation is also being monitored by the district authorities so that the needed preparations for shelters and healthcare facilities can be guaranteed.
Since there is no large weather system that has a possibility of generating rain or substantial warming, people in Jharkhand have to prepare for the cold weather that may remain in the next few days and keep themselves informed of the weather predictions.
