Bay system to intensify, Jharkhand braces for heavy rain from Sept 23
PINAKI MAJUMDAR Jamshedpur, September 21: Jharkhand is likely to witness an intensification of weather activity from September 23 as a developing low-pressure…
PINAKI MAJUMDAR
Jamshedpur, September 21: Jharkhand is likely to witness an intensification of weather activity from September 23 as a developing low-pressure system over the Bay of Bengal is expected to strengthen into a depression and subsequently a deep depression, triggering increased rainfall, thunderstorms, lightning and gusty winds across the state.
According to the latest weather outlook, the low-pressure area over the North Andaman Sea and adjoining east-central Bay of Bengal has moved west-northwestwards and now lies over the east-central Bay and adjoining North Andaman Sea.
The system is likely to intensify into a depression on September 21 and a deep depression on September 22 over the Bay of Bengal. It is expected to continue moving west-northwestwards and reach the west-central and adjoining northwest Bay of Bengal, near the North Andhra Pradesh-South Odisha coasts, around the morning of September 23.
Heavy rain likely in several districts
The developing system is expected to influence Jharkhand’s weather from September 23. The India Meteorological Department has forecast heavy rain at isolated places, accompanied by thunderstorms, lightning and gusty winds.
On September 21, thunderstorms, lightning and gusty winds of 30–40 kmph are likely at isolated places across the state.
Weather activity is expected to become more intense on September 22 and 23, when gusty winds may reach 40–50 kmph at isolated locations.
East Singhbhum, Ranchi, Dhanbad among districts under watch
On September 23, heavy rain is likely at isolated places in the south-eastern districts of East Singhbhum, West Singhbhum and Seraikela-Kharsawan.
Several central districts, including Ranchi, Khunti, Ramgarh, Bokaro and Dhanbad, may also receive heavy rain.
The weather system could also affect north-eastern Jharkhand, with Giridih, Deoghar and Jamtara among the districts likely to experience heavy rainfall at isolated places.
Rain activity may continue till September 25
The system is likely to maintain its influence over Jharkhand on September 24, when heavy rain is forecast at isolated places over north-eastern Jharkhand and adjoining central areas, particularly Dhanbad.
Thunderstorms, lightning and gusty winds of 40–50 kmph are also likely during the period.
The wet spell may continue on September 25, with heavy rain forecast at isolated places across the state along with thunderstorms, lightning and gusty winds.
Meteorologists monitoring system closely
Meteorologists are closely monitoring the developing system, as its movement and intensity over the Bay of Bengal are expected to determine the distribution and intensity of rainfall over Jharkhand during the coming days.
An upper-air cyclonic circulation over the North Bay of Bengal and adjoining coastal areas of Bangladesh, extending up to 1.5 km above mean sea level, has merged with the developing system.
An east-west trough associated with the system is also extending towards South Interior Karnataka, providing additional atmospheric support for increased weather activity.
Residents, particularly those in vulnerable and low-lying areas, have been advised to remain alert during thunderstorms and avoid exposed locations during lightning and strong winds.
