The Steel City on Tuesday recorded the lowest temperature of the season, reducing the minimum temperature to 6.8 degree Celsius. On December 20, the minimum temperature recorded was 7.2 degrees.

The entire region is in the grip of the north- westerly wind, which will drag down minimum temperatures further in another 24 hours. The chill has intensified because of the strong and dry current.

According to the local Meteorological department the Celsius, which is seven degrees below normal, would witness more dips in the days to come. Meanwhile, the city wore a virtually deserted look in the evening with most people preferring to stay indoors.

The officials said that similar conditions will continue to prevail in the city in the coming days. The poor people on the streets have been the worst hit by the cold wave. Footpath dwellers and the poor were seen clustering around bonfires lit from dry woods, using tyres and even garbage to beat the cold.

“Though the slender sunshine gave respite in the afternoon but the cool breeze gave chilling experience. Nights are becoming unbearable,” said an official. Weatherman forecast that there will be no respite from the cold in the coming days. Significantly, both minimum and maximum temperatures were below normal all over the State.

Data available from the Patna Meteorological Office said that most parts of the state, including Jamshedpur, Ranchi and Daltonganj, were suffering with temperatures five degrees below normal.

"The cold wind from the North will continue to blow till the time the high pressure belt persists. The north-westerly wind  which is prevailing over Jharkhand, will prompt night temperatures to dip by at least two  degrees in the next 24-hours. The downward trend  is expected to continue for the next couple of days," said the official.