Cold wave and fog hit Jharkhand, disrupt normal life

National News Desk

Jharkhand is reeling under a severe cold wave and dense fog, affecting the normal life and travel in the state. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecasted that the minimum temperature in Jharkhand will remain in the range of 2 to 4 degrees Celsius until January 23, and that the dense to very dense fog conditions are likely to continue to prevail over the state during the next five days.

The cold wave and fog have caused significant delays in both air and rail travel in and around the state. According to the Delhi Airport Flight Information Display System (FIDS), around 30 flights, including both international and domestic, were delayed by several hours on Thursday. The affected flights comprised 10 international departures, 12 international arrivals, 4 domestic departures, and 4 domestic arrivals.

The poor visibility also affected the train operations, as 15 Jharkhand-bound trains from various parts of the country were running late by several hours. Some of the delayed trains were Ranchi Rajdhani Express, Howrah-Dhanbad Express, Patna-Ranchi Express, and Hatia-Puri Tapaswini Express.

Passengers faced difficulty at the Birsa Munda Airport in Ranchi and the railway stations in Dhanbad, Jamshedpur, and other places as they waited for their delayed or cancelled flights and trains. Many of them expressed their frustration and inconvenience over the situation.

The cold wave and fog have also impacted the daily activities and health of the people, especially the elderly and the children. Many people have complained of respiratory problems, joint pains, and cold-related ailments. The doctors have advised the people to take precautions and avoid exposure to the cold and fog.

“People should wear warm clothes, drink hot fluids, and avoid going out in the early morning and late night hours. They should also avoid smoking and drinking alcohol, as they can worsen the condition. They should also consult a doctor if they have any symptoms of cold, cough, fever, or breathing difficulty,” Dr. Ramesh Singh, a physician at the Rajendra Institute of Medical Sciences (RIMS) in Ranchi, said.

Jharkhand is one of the coldest states in India, with an average annual temperature of 24 degrees Celsius. The state experiences four seasons: summer (March to May), monsoon (June to September), autumn (October to November), and winter (December to February). The state receives an average annual rainfall of 1,400 mm, mostly during the monsoon season.