Rain keeps grip on Jharkhand as fresh low-pressure system looms
PINAKI MAJUMDAR Jamshedpur, August 29: Jharkhand is set for another spell of widespread rain and thunderstorms over the next few days, with…
PINAKI MAJUMDAR
Jamshedpur, August 29: Jharkhand is set for another spell of widespread rain and thunderstorms over the next few days, with the India Meteorological Department (IMD) forecasting heavy rainfall at isolated places across several districts, particularly in the southern and eastern parts of the state.
The emerging weather system is likely to keep monsoon activity over Jharkhand strong through the beginning of September, with thunderstorms, lightning and gusty winds also expected at isolated places.
Heavy rain forecast in several districts
On Saturday, heavy rainfall is expected at isolated places over northeastern districts including Dumka, Deoghar, Jamtara and Giridih, as well as southeastern districts such as West Singhbhum, East Singhbhum and Saraikela-Kharsawan. Adjoining areas of Dhanbad may also receive heavy showers.
The IMD has warned of thunderstorms accompanied by lightning and gusty winds of 30–40 kmph at isolated places across the state. Residents have been advised to exercise caution during periods of intense weather activity.
Rainfall activity is expected to continue on August 30, when heavy showers are likely at isolated places over eastern Jharkhand. Thunderstorms and lightning may occur in several parts of the state.
The weather could intensify again on August 31, with heavy rainfall forecast at isolated places over the northeastern belt comprising Dumka, Deoghar, Jamtara and Giridih.
Adjoining central districts, including Dhanbad, Bokaro, Ramgarh, Hazaribagh and Koderma, along with southern districts such as West Singhbhum, East Singhbhum and Saraikela-Kharsawan, are also likely to experience heavy showers.
The wet spell is expected to continue into September. On September 1, isolated heavy rainfall is likely over northwestern Jharkhand, adjoining central districts including Lohardaga, Ranchi, Gumla and Khunti, as well as southern parts of the state.
Thunderstorms, lightning and gusty winds of 30–40 kmph are also likely at isolated places.
Fresh system likely over Bay of Bengal
The IMD said the low-pressure area over northeast Uttar Pradesh and adjoining areas, along with its associated cyclonic circulation extending up to 4.5 km above mean sea level, persisted over the region on Friday.
However, the system is likely to weaken over the next 24 hours.
At the same time, an upper-air cyclonic circulation over the North Bay of Bengal and adjoining West Bengal-Bangladesh coasts continues to influence the weather pattern.
The circulation, extending up to 7.6 km above mean sea level and tilting southwestwards, is likely to trigger the formation of another low-pressure area over the northwest Bay of Bengal and adjoining West Bengal-north Odisha coasts around August 29, according to the IMD.
Monsoon trough to sustain rain activity
The monsoon trough is also continuing to influence weather conditions, passing through several parts of north and east India before extending towards the northeast Bay of Bengal.
The combination of the existing weather systems and the emerging Bay of Bengal disturbance is expected to keep Jharkhand under an active rain regime over the coming days.
With several districts already receiving sustained rainfall, the fresh system developing over the Bay of Bengal could prolong the wet spell across the state into the first days of September.
