PINAKI MAJUMDAR
Jamshedpur, March 9: The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a thunderstorm, lightning and gusty wind alert for Jharkhand till March 11, warning of unstable weather conditions across several parts of the state.
According to the Ranchi Meteorological Centre, thunderstorms accompanied by lightning and winds reaching speeds of 30–40 kmph are likely at isolated places over the north-eastern and adjoining central parts of Jharkhand on March 9 and March 10.
Thunderstorm activity to expand on March 11
Meteorologists said that on March 11, similar weather conditions are expected to spread to adjoining central and south-eastern districts of Jharkhand, increasing the possibility of thunderstorms and lightning across a wider region.
Residents have been advised to remain cautious, particularly in open areas during thunderstorm activity, and to take safety precautions against lightning strikes and strong winds.
Cyclonic circulation behind changing weather
Weather experts attribute the developing thunderstorm conditions in Jharkhand to evolving synoptic systems over eastern India.
An upper-air cyclonic circulation persists over south Bangladesh and adjoining areas, currently located between 1.5 km and 3.1 km above mean sea level.
Meteorologists said the system has strengthened as a trough along longitude 90°E, north of latitude 20°N, at around 3.1 km altitude, has merged with the cyclonic circulation.
Trough line influencing eastern India weather
In addition, a trough extending from Bihar to south Odisha has shifted and now runs from Bihar to Marathwada across Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh and Vidarbha, at about 0.9 km above mean sea level.
The interaction of these weather systems is creating favourable conditions for thunderstorm activity in Jharkhand, meteorologists said.
Officials at the Ranchi Met Centre are closely monitoring the evolving weather pattern and will issue further updates if conditions intensify.