Jharkhand braces for more heavy rain as low-pressure system moves northwest
PINAKI MAJUMDAR Jamshedpur, August 31: Jharkhand is likely to witness another spell of heavy to very heavy rainfall over the next few…
PINAKI MAJUMDAR
Jamshedpur, August 31: Jharkhand is likely to witness another spell of heavy to very heavy rainfall over the next few days, with the India Meteorological Department (IMD) forecasting intense showers across several districts as a well-marked low-pressure system moves west-northwestwards.
The weather system, currently lying over Gangetic West Bengal and adjoining areas of north coastal Odisha and the northwest Bay of Bengal, is expected to influence Jharkhand’s weather through the first week of September.
According to the IMD, the system persisted over the region at 8.30 am on Monday, with its associated cyclonic circulation extending up to 7.6 km above mean sea level. It is expected to move west-northwestwards across north Odisha and Gangetic West Bengal during the next 24 hours, resulting in widespread rainfall over Jharkhand.
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Heavy rain likely in southern, central districts
For August 31, heavy to very heavy rainfall is likely at isolated places over north-western, central and southern Jharkhand.
Lohardaga, Gumla and Khunti in central Jharkhand, along with Simdega and West Singhbhum in the south, are among the districts likely to receive intense showers.
The IMD has also warned of thunderstorms accompanied by lightning and gusty winds of 30-40 kmph at isolated places across the state.
Several districts to remain under rain alert on September 1
The rain activity is expected to intensify or persist on September 1, with heavy rainfall forecast at isolated places over Kodarma, Hazaribagh, Ramgarh, Bokaro, Dhanbad and Ranchi, besides adjoining Giridih, East Singhbhum and Saraikela-Kharsawan.
Heavy to very heavy rainfall is also likely over Garhwa, Palamu, Latehar, Lohardaga, Gumla, Simdega and West Singhbhum.
The concentration of rainfall across both central and southern districts could result in temporary waterlogging and disruption of normal activities in vulnerable areas.
Rain to continue through September 2-4
The wet spell is expected to continue on September 2, when heavy rain is likely at isolated places over Ranchi and Khunti and adjoining areas of Chatra and Saraikela-Kharsawan.
Thunderstorms, lightning and gusty winds of 30-40 kmph are again likely at isolated places.
On September 3, heavy rain is forecast over north-western and south-western parts of Jharkhand, particularly Gumla, Simdega and West Singhbhum.
Thunderstorms and lightning, accompanied by gusty winds, may continue at isolated places on September 4.
Possibility of waterlogging, localised flooding
The latest forecast has raised the possibility of waterlogging in low-lying areas and localised flooding in vulnerable pockets, particularly where heavy showers occur within a short period.
Residents have been advised to remain alert during thunderstorms and avoid open or exposed locations during lightning activity.
The continuing rainfall is also expected to provide further relief to Jharkhand’s monsoon rainfall deficit. The deficit had narrowed considerably to 6 per cent by the end of August following repeated spells of widespread rainfall across the state.
The latest weather system is therefore likely to keep the monsoon active over Jharkhand as the state enters September, with several districts facing the prospect of another few days of intense rainfall.
