Jharkhand ends August with 6% rain deficit as monsoon regains strength
PINAKI MAJUMDAR Jamshedpur, September 1: Jharkhand has made a significant recovery from its sluggish start to the southwest monsoon, with the state’s…
PINAKI MAJUMDAR
Jamshedpur, September 1: Jharkhand has made a significant recovery from its sluggish start to the southwest monsoon, with the state’s cumulative rainfall deficit narrowing to just 6 per cent by the end of August, keeping it firmly within the meteorological ‘normal’ category.
The state received 747.2 mm of rainfall against the normal 798.8 mm during the June 1-August 31 period, according to the latest rainfall data released by the Meteorological Centre, Ranchi.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) considers rainfall between 19 per cent above and 19 per cent below normal to be within the normal range. With the deficit now reduced to 6 per cent, Jharkhand has effectively recovered from the substantial rainfall shortfall recorded during the early phase of the monsoon.
The improvement was driven largely by repeated spells of widespread rainfall during August, triggered by successive low-pressure systems developing over the Bay of Bengal and adjoining regions.
The frequent weather systems brought substantial rainfall to large parts of Jharkhand and helped bridge the deficit accumulated during June and July.
However, the overall rainfall distribution remains uneven, with some districts recording significant surpluses while several northern and north-western districts continue to face substantial shortages.
West Singhbhum has recorded the highest surplus, with rainfall 52 per cent above normal. The district received 1,224.4 mm against its normal rainfall of 807.3 mm.
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Latehar is the only other district with a surplus exceeding 20 per cent, recording a 24 per cent excess after receiving 1,009.5 mm against the normal 813.1 mm.
East Singhbhum has recorded a 7 per cent surplus, with 916.9 mm against the normal 858.1 mm, while Ranchi is 8 per cent above normal with 882.3 mm against 815.4 mm.
Seraikela-Kharsawan has recorded a 15 per cent surplus. Khunti, Lohardaga and Simdega are also marginally above normal, with surpluses of 2, 2 and 4 per cent respectively.
North, northwest still face rainfall shortage
Despite the state’s improved overall position, rainfall deficiency remains severe in several districts, particularly in northern and north-western Jharkhand.
Pakur has recorded the highest deficit at 52 per cent, followed by Deoghar and Koderma at 41 per cent each.
Garhwa has registered a 39 per cent shortfall, while Chatra, Giridih and Godda are deficient by 37, 35 and 30 per cent respectively.
Gumla, Hazaribagh, Bokaro and Sahibganj have recorded deficits of 22, 29, 23 and 23 per cent respectively.
A senior official at the Meteorological Centre, Ranchi, said the repeated spells of rain during August had substantially improved the state’s monsoon position.
“The rainfall situation has shown a significant improvement during August, with successive weather systems over the Bay of Bengal bringing widespread rainfall to Jharkhand. Although the distribution remains uneven, the state’s cumulative rainfall deficit has now come down to 6 per cent and is within the normal category,” the official said.
More heavy rain forecast
The monsoon is showing no immediate signs of weakening, with the IMD forecasting another spell of heavy to very heavy rainfall over several parts of Jharkhand during the opening days of September.
On September 1, heavy to very heavy rainfall is likely at isolated places in Garhwa, Palamu, Latehar, Lohardaga, Gumla, Simdega and West Singhbhum.
Heavy rain is also expected at isolated places in Ranchi, Khunti, Chatra and Seraikela-Kharsawan.
Thunderstorms accompanied by lightning and gusty winds of 30-40 kmph are likely at isolated places across the state.
On September 2, heavy rainfall is forecast over parts of north-western and south-western Jharkhand, particularly Gumla, Simdega and West Singhbhum. Thunderstorms, lightning and gusty winds are also likely.
Thunderstorm activity may continue on September 3, indicating that the monsoon is likely to remain active during the first week of September.
Rivers rise in Jamshedpur
Meanwhile, overnight rainfall continued in Jamshedpur and several other parts of the state, resulting in a further rise in the water levels of the Subarnarekha and Kharkai rivers.
The continuing rainfall has heightened concerns in low-lying areas, particularly along riverbanks, as fresh rain continues to feed the river catchments.
With more rainfall forecast over southern Jharkhand in the coming days, residents and authorities in vulnerable areas are keeping a close watch on river levels, drainage conditions and the possibility of localised waterlogging.
