Clear skies expected for Chhath in Jharkhand; morning mist likely on Arghya days
PINAKI MAJUMDAR Jamshedpur, November 14: Chhath devotees across Jharkhand can expect largely favourable weather conditions during the festival, with the India Meteorological…
PINAKI MAJUMDAR
Jamshedpur, November 14: Chhath devotees across Jharkhand can expect largely favourable weather conditions during the festival, with the India Meteorological Department (IMD) forecasting mainly clear to partly cloudy skies in Ranchi, Jamshedpur and Bokaro on November 15 and 16.
The forecast indicates no rainfall during the two important days of the festival, offering relief to devotees preparing for the evening Sandhya Arghya on November 15 and the morning Usha Arghya on November 16.
According to the latest bulletin issued by the Meteorological Centre, Ranchi, shallow to moderate fog or mist is likely during the morning hours on November 15. Skies are expected to remain mainly clear later in the day.
Similar conditions are forecast for November 16, with morning fog or mist likely to give way to partly cloudy skies.
Temperatures remain comfortable across major cities
Jamshedpur recorded a maximum temperature of 30.6 degrees Celsius on November 14, which was 0.6 degrees above normal. The minimum temperature settled at 18 degrees Celsius, 2.2 degrees above normal.
Bokaro recorded a maximum of 28.5 degrees Celsius and a minimum of 16.5 degrees Celsius, while Ranchi registered a maximum temperature of 27 degrees Celsius and a minimum of 13.6 degrees Celsius.
The weather department has forecast no significant change in maximum or minimum temperatures across Jharkhand over the next five days.
Stable temperatures are likely to ensure that devotees do not experience any abrupt change in weather during the festival. However, morning mist may affect visibility at some places, particularly near riverbanks and other open areas where devotees gather for the rituals.
Bay of Bengal weather system unlikely to affect Chhath
Meanwhile, a well-marked low-pressure area over the southeast Bay of Bengal continues to persist and is likely to move northwestwards. It is expected to intensify into a depression and subsequently a cyclonic storm over the central and adjoining west-central Bay of Bengal around the evening of November 16.
However, the immediate weather forecast for Jharkhand does not indicate any rainfall during Chhath.
The possibility of rain or thunderstorms at isolated places in southern and central Jharkhand is forecast only from November 19 onwards.
With predominantly clear skies, stable temperatures and no immediate threat of rain, weather conditions are expected to remain largely favourable for Chhath celebrations across the state.
