Active Monsoon to bring heavy rain across Jharkhand till August 6
PINAKI MAJUMDAR Jamshedpur, August 3: After a prolonged spell of below-normal rainfall, Jharkhand is set to witness an active phase of the…
PINAKI MAJUMDAR
Jamshedpur, August 3: After a prolonged spell of below-normal rainfall, Jharkhand is set to witness an active phase of the southwest monsoon over the next four days, with the India Meteorological Department (IMD) forecasting heavy rainfall across different parts of the state till August 6.
The IMD has also predicted thunderstorms accompanied by lightning and gusty winds reaching speeds of 40–50 kmph at isolated places across Jharkhand during the forecast period.
Heavy rain likely in phases across districts
According to the weather forecast, the focus of monsoon activity will shift to the north-western and central districts on August 4, with Hazaribagh, Koderma, Ramgarh and Bokaro likely to receive heavy rainfall.
On August 5, the rain belt is expected to move towards the south-eastern region, placing East Singhbhum, West Singhbhum and Seraikela-Kharsawan under a heavy rain alert.
Another spell of intense rainfall is likely on August 6 over Hazaribagh, Koderma, Ramgarh, Ranchi, Lohardaga, Gumla and Khunti, keeping large parts of Jharkhand under the influence of an active southwest monsoon system.
Weather systems driving active monsoon over Jharkhand
Meteorologists said the enhanced rainfall activity has been triggered by a favourable combination of weather systems prevailing over eastern and northwestern India.
The monsoon trough at mean sea level currently extends from Bikaner through Banasthali Vidyapeeth, Orai, Sidhi, Daltonganj and Bankura before stretching eastwards towards Manipur.
Another trough extends from west Rajasthan to Sub-Himalayan West Bengal and Sikkim across a cyclonic circulation over central Rajasthan, northern Madhya Pradesh, southeast Uttar Pradesh and Bihar at an altitude of about 0.9 km above mean sea level.
Adding to the favourable conditions, an upper-air cyclonic circulation persists over northwest Bangladesh and adjoining Sub-Himalayan West Bengal at around 1.5 km above mean sea level. This system is continuously drawing moisture into Jharkhand and supporting widespread convective activity, leading to increased rainfall across the state.
IMD advises caution amid thunderstorms and lightning
The IMD has cautioned that thunderstorms, lightning and strong surface winds may cause localised disruptions, including damage to weak structures, uprooting of trees and temporary traffic disruptions.
Farmers have been advised to suspend agricultural operations during thunderstorms, while residents have been urged to avoid open fields, water bodies and isolated trees during lightning strikes.
Rainfall deficit likely to narrow
Despite recent showers, Jharkhand continues to face a seasonal rainfall deficit. The state has so far received 379.9 mm of rainfall against the normal 526.3 mm, leaving it with a 28 per cent deficit.
Weather experts, however, expect the widespread rainfall forecast over the next few days to significantly reduce the shortfall if it materialises. The rain is also expected to provide much-needed relief to agriculture, replenish reservoirs and groundwater levels, and improve the overall monsoon performance across Jharkhand.
