Ranchi: Cold conditions continue to intensify across Jharkhand as Meteorological Department has predicted cold wave conditions in Ranchi and 12 districts on December 26. Districts likely to be affected include Palamu, Garhwa, Chatra, Gumla, Latehar, Lohardaga, Hazaribagh, Koderma, Khunti, Ranchi, Bokaro and Ramgarh.
On December 25, highest maximum temperature in state was recorded at 27.4 degrees Celsius in Chaibasa, while lowest minimum temperature plunged to 4.0 degrees Celsius in Gumla, making it coldest place in Jharkhand.
Minimum temperature in 12 districts fell below 10 degrees Celsius. Gumla recorded 4.0 degrees Celsius, followed by Khunti at 6.0, Hazaribagh at 7.2, Pakur at 7.6, Simdega and Latehar at 7.9 each, Deoghar and Daltonganj at 8.1, Lohardaga at 8.2, Seraikela at 8.8, Bokaro at 9.5 and Chaibasa at 9.6 degrees Celsius.
According to weather department, Ranchi and surrounding areas are expected to witness minimum temperatures ranging between seven and nine degrees Celsius from December 26 to December 29. On December 26 and 27, maximum temperature is likely to remain around 22 degrees Celsius with minimum near seven degrees. December 28 may see a slight rise with maximum at 23 and minimum at eight degrees, while December 29 is expected to record a maximum of 23 and minimum of nine degrees Celsius.