Monsoon fury returns: IMD issues four-day rain, thunderstorm alert across Jharkhand
Jamshedpur, July 17: A vigorous monsoon spell has tightened its grip over Jharkhand, prompting the India Meteorological Department (IMD) to issue a…
Jamshedpur, July 17: A vigorous monsoon spell has tightened its grip over Jharkhand, prompting the India Meteorological Department (IMD) to issue a four-day statewide alert for thunderstorms, lightning, gusty winds and intermittent heavy rainfall from Friday through July 20.
Powered by a well-marked low-pressure area over the northwest Bay of Bengal, the weather system is expected to keep most parts of Jharkhand under active monsoon conditions over the next few days.
Jamshedpur and several other districts witnessed intermittent rain from the early hours of Friday, bringing relief from the oppressive humidity while disrupting normal life in many areas. Thunder and lightning accompanied the showers at several places, with dense cloud cover persisting throughout the day.
Heavy rain led to waterlogging in low-lying areas, traffic congestion and poor visibility, making commuting difficult during peak hours.
IMD Issues Heavy Rain and Thunderstorm Warning
According to the IMD, thunderstorms accompanied by lightning and gusty winds with speeds of 40-50 kmph are likely at isolated places across Jharkhand every day till July 20. The department has also forecast heavy rainfall at isolated locations, although the districts most likely to be affected will vary from day to day.
The weather office has issued a heavy rainfall warning for parts of southern Jharkhand on July 17, while Latehar and Chatra are expected to receive heavy showers on July 18. Although no district-specific heavy rainfall warning has been issued for July 19 and 20, thunderstorms, lightning and strong winds are expected to persist across the state.
Low-Pressure System Driving Active Monsoon
Meteorologists attributed the changing weather to a well-marked low-pressure area over the northwest Bay of Bengal and adjoining north Odisha-West Bengal coast. The system is associated with a cyclonic circulation extending up to 7.6 km above mean sea level and is expected to move northwestwards over north Odisha and Gangetic West Bengal during the next two days, intensifying monsoon activity across Jharkhand.
The weather has been further influenced by the monsoon trough over northern India, an upper-air cyclonic circulation over east Uttar Pradesh and adjoining Bihar, and a trough extending from the Bay of Bengal system to the east-central Arabian Sea. Together, these meteorological systems are drawing abundant moisture into the region, creating favourable conditions for widespread rainfall, thunderstorms and atmospheric instability.
Residents Advised to Stay Alert
The IMD has advised residents to avoid unnecessary outdoor movement during periods of heavy rain, lightning and strong winds and to take necessary precautions while travelling.
“The rain brought relief from the oppressive heat, but it also threw daily life out of gear. Waterlogged roads, traffic snarls and frequent lightning made commuting extremely difficult, especially during the morning hours,” said Neha Sharma, a resident of Mango in Jamshedpur.
