PINAKI MAJUMDAR
Jamshedpur, August 15: Jharkhand has recorded 872.8 mm of rainfall between June 1 and August 14 this year — a 34% surplus compared to the seasonal average of 650.2 mm.
Rainfall Trends Across the State
According to official data, 21 out of the state’s 24 districts have received normal to excess rainfall. East Singhbhum (+85%), Seraikela-Kharsawan (+71%), Latehar (+63%), and Ranchi (+61%) have recorded the highest surpluses.
Only Deoghar (-4%) and Pakur (-13%) have reported deficits, while Koderma, despite a 27% increase, remains just below the ‘normal’ range.
Weather Systems Behind the Surge
Meteorologists link the active monsoon phase to a low-pressure system over the northwest and adjoining west-central Bay of Bengal, off the North Andhra Pradesh and South Odisha coasts.
This system, coupled with an upper-air cyclonic circulation extending up to 7.6 km above mean sea level, is expected to move west-northwestwards across South Odisha and North Coastal Andhra Pradesh in the coming day.
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At present, the monsoon trough at mean sea level stretches from Bikaner through Banasthali, Guna, Damoli, Bilaspur, Kalingapatnam, and into the low-pressure area over the Bay of Bengal.
Forecast and Safety Advisory
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has predicted thunderstorms and lightning, accompanied by gusty winds of 30–40 km/h, at isolated locations across the state over the next 24 hours.
The Met Department has urged residents, especially in lightning-prone rural areas, to take necessary precautions during thunderstorms.
