Niva Mishra | Trinath Mahato | Atiya Afreen |
Jharkhand and the various parts of the country are presently under a serious cold wave, with temperature readings in some areas dipping below 6 degrees Celsius, a new low of 4 degrees Celsius in Kanke( in Ranchi). For the protection of the children while saving them from chilling conditions, a decision has been taken by the state government to shut down all schools for the children up to 8 years during the time period from January 7 to January 13, 2025.1 Trains and flights are being cancelled and delayed as a result of extreme fog. Local bodies are also providing assistance in terms of other necessities by distributing blankets and lighting bonfires in the major chowks. The Meteorological Centre has also issued precautionary warnings for fog during this weather to those who would be traveling in these conditions.
Understanding Cold Waves
Cold waves occur primarily due to a combination of meteorological factors, particularly the influence of northwesterly winds and the presence of Western Disturbances. These cold waves are characterized by a rapid drop in temperature, often falling below the seasonal norms. The phenomenon begins when cold air masses from the northern latitudes move southward into the region, driven by strong northwesterly winds.
Status of Jharkhand
This influx of cold air leads to significant drops in minimum temperatures across various districts, in the state as observed with temperatures plummeting to as low as 3.2°C in Lohardaga and around 4-6°C in other areas like Kanke and Hazaribagh.
Figure 1: Map Showing the total number of cold waves in different districts of Jharkhand
Various areas of Jharkhand have been experiencing a chilling cold which is starting to have a huge adverse effect on living conditions in the country. According to the State disaster Management plan 2018-2019 all the 24 districts are affected by cold waves in Jharkhand. The health and agriculture sectors are suffering the most, the electricity demand is also rising due to the excessive use of warming equipment like heater, blowers, geyser etc . The agricultural sector on the other hand is suffering because the frost has proven to be chilly for certain crops, this is then predicted to affect both their yield and then food supply.
This particular blog is written with the overriding aim of understanding and justifying the multifaceted nature of the effects that cold weather has on the people of Jharkhand, using data up to 2024 as seen in the Figure 1, alongside case studies to supplement the need for action.
Climate change and cold waves
The recent cold spell highlights the necessity for strong climate adaptation strategies, particularly in agriculture, where farmers must be equipped with climate-smart practices to cope with extreme weather fluctuations 4.
The ongoing cold wave not only impacts public health and safety but also underscores the importance of integrating climate resilience into local governance and community preparedness initiatives, ensuring that both immediate and long-term strategies are in place to mitigate the effects of such extreme weather events.
Cold winds strike India’s eastern state of Jharkhand, and it is the daily wage earners, elderly population, slum dwellers, and peoples with no proper shelther, who are worstly affected by such extreme weather events. Such workers who depend on outdoor work are constantly battling bad weather conditions. To further understand how long the cold wave lasts, Figure 2 displays the cold days spanning in the last five years.
Figure 2: Calendar of cold days in last five years in Jharkhand
Table 1: Impacts of cold waves in various sectors in Jharkhand
Health Impacts of Severe Cold
Impact on Healthcare Centres
Social Impact of Cold Waves
Economic Consequences
Case Studies : Peoples Woes
- Sunita Devi (Labourer)
Sunita, a dedicated construction worker (Reja) from neighbouring district Lohardaga, commutes daily to Ranchi after completing her household chores. She works tirelessly for 8 hours each day, but the biting cold temperatures in the early mornings and evenings are taking a toll on her productivity, making the long hours even more challenging and impacting her health.
How do you manage commuting daily while balancing household chores?
I wake up at 4 AM, finish my chores, and catch the first bus to Ranchi. It’s exhausting, but I do it for my family.
How does the cold weather affect your work?
The cold makes my hands numb, and I often fall sick. It’s hard to stay productive when your body is aching from both the cold and work.
What could make your situation better?
A warm place to rest during breaks or easier transportation would help. Right now, I just wear layers and keep moving to stay warm.
- Ramesh (Daily wage labourer)
A good case is that of Ramesh, a construction worker from Ranchi. Because of the recent cold spell, Ramesh stopped working for over a fortnight because of the extreme colds. His family (5 people including him) was unable to get essential items, and this is highlighting the relationship between weather and the economy.
Q&A
How has the recent cold spell affected your work?
The cold was unbearable, so I had to stop working for over two weeks. It wasn’t safe or possible to continue in such harsh conditions.
How did this impact your family?
With no income during that time, we couldn’t buy essential items. It was very tough for my family of five to manage.
What does this situation say about the connection between weather and work?
It shows how weather directly affects livelihoods. When we can’t work, the entire household suffers, and it impacts the local economy too.
- Rajesh (Waste Collector)
Rajesh (a waste collector from Argora, Ranchi) also faces hardship while doing his usual work. He usually roamed around door to door in the early morning to earn his livelihood. He says that the cold wave has made his life difficult for people like him.
Q&A
Why haven’t you been around to collect the waste lately? Is everything okay?
The extreme cold makes it hard for me to go out early in the morning; it’s just too risky.
How is it impacting your income ?
It is affecting my income, and it is declining as compared to normal days. I rely on Rs.300-500 collections to make ends meet.”
The severe cold wave currently affecting Jharkhand has a profound impact on thousands of workers engaged in outdoor occupations such as small street vendors, agriculture, construction, and mining. Many of these workers face hazardous conditions as they continue their labor in frigid temperatures, which have recently dipped to as low as 3.2°C in Lohardaga. This situation highlights the urgent need to increase the adaptive capacity of vulnerable populations who are directly affected by such extreme weather events.
Government Actions
So as to reduce the effect of cold spells on daily wage earners and other vulnerable population, the recommended actions are:
- Emergency Relief Programs: Resource and financial relief programs that offer assistance towards specific individuals and populations during any adverse extreme weather are to undergo establishment.
- Shelter Initiatives: Establishing access to temporary shelter or housing with thermal structures for an affected population, households, or individuals.
Community Initiatives
- Awareness Campaigns: Campaigns aimed at the community explaining the dangers posed by the cold or the winter will enable the community to take steps to avert the effects of the winter.
- Local Support Networks: There is a need to strengthen local networks to provide food, clothing and medical assistance to the wage workers as a result of this local sources of clothes and medicines will reduce the burdens faced by the wage earners.
Individual Behavioral change:
- Prevention: Elderly people and kids should be protected from the exposure to extreme cold , especially in the morning and evening , when the temperature reduces to very low.
- Heating Resources: Ensuring access to reliable heating sources, such as community heating centers or subsidized heating fuel (specially for low-income families), can help protect residents during severe cold spells.
Further research is needed in areas such as:
- Understanding the scientific basis behind cold waves in Jharkhand is essential for developing effective weather forecasting and climate adaptation strategies. Research into these patterns can help local authorities prepare for extreme weather events, ensuring that appropriate measures are taken to protect vulnerable populations from the health risks associated with severe cold conditions
- Long-term health impacts of repeated exposure to cold conditions is the topic for further research to be done for better intervention and early precaution measures.
- The effectiveness of government interventions during extreme weather events is required in the vulnerable districts like Gumla, Lohardaga, and Latehar.
The recent cold wave in Jharkhand underscores the vulnerabilities faced by daily wage workers in extreme weather conditions. Prioritizing protective measures and support systems, we can ensure that these essential workers are better equipped to withstand future challenges posed by severe weather events. The time for action is now; let us stand together in support of those who labor tirelessly through adversity.
References:
1.https://indianexpress.com/article/education/winter-vacation-2025-in-schools-jharkhand-schools-closed-till-class-8-cold-wave-9760838/
2.https://ncdc.mohfw.gov.in/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/10.SAPCCHH-VERSION-1-JHARKHAND.pdf
4.https://testbook.com/jharkhand-gk/climate-of-jharkhand
5.https://avenuemail.in/jharkhands-lohardaga-records-bone-chilling-3-2-degrees-celsius-mercury-dips-to-10-3c-in-jamshedpur/