Ranchi (FNO): Winter has begun hitting Ranchi with unusual intensity as temperatures dipped to a chilly 10°C early this morning, marking one of the coldest starts to the season. Daytime temperatures are struggling to rise, hovering around a modest 23°C, keeping the city firmly in the grip of a cold wave.

Thick morning fog covered major stretches of the city, slowing traffic on Kanke Road, Harmu Bypass and the Airport Road corridor. The biting winds in the early hours forced residents to bundle up in heavy woollens, with many seen warming their hands at roadside bonfires.

Markets in Lalpur, Upper Bazar and Ratu Road recorded a sharp rise in sales of sweaters, jackets and room heaters as households prepared for the deepening chill.

Schools witnessed reduced attendance in early-morning shifts, and health officials have warned vulnerable groups — especially children and the elderly — to take extra precautions as the cold wave is expected to intensify over the week.

Meteorologists attribute the sudden dip to strong north-westerly winds sweeping across Jharkhand, pushing temperatures further below the season’s average.