Heavy Rainfall Alerts for 18 Jharkhand Districts as Cyclone Approaches

Weather Department Warns of Potential Downpours Amid Ongoing Monsoon Deficit

Jharkhand braces for heavy rainfall as cyclonic system from Bay of Bengal moves inland, potentially alleviating the 61% monsoon deficit since June 1.

RANCHI – The Meteorological Department has issued heavy rainfall warnings for 18 districts in Jharkhand for July 1 and 2, 2024, as a cyclonic system from the Bay of Bengal approaches the state.

Abhishek Anand, a scientist at the India Meteorological Department’s (IMD) Ranchi center, announced on Sunday that the northeastern and adjoining central parts of Jharkhand are likely to experience heavy rainfall.

The rainfall warnings extend beyond July 1, with forecasts indicating continued heavy precipitation on July 2 and 3 across various regions of the state.

The Weather Department has issued yellow alerts for the following areas:

1. July 1-2: Santhal Pargana division (Deoghar, Dumka, Godda, Jamtara, Pakur, Sahebganj), Dhanbad, and Giridih.

2. July 2: Ranchi, Hazaribagh, Ramgarh, Garhwa, Palamu, Latehar, Lohardaga, Chatra, Bokaro, Koderma, Giridih, Dhanbad, Deoghar, Jamtara, Dumka, Godda, Pakur, and Sahebganj.

3. July 3: Godda, Sahibganj, Pakur, Dumka, Deoghar, Jamtara, Giridih, Dhanbad, and Bokaro.

"This cyclonic system could bring much-needed relief to our rainfall deficit," stated a meteorologist from the Ranchi center.

Key points from the weather forecast:

1. Maximum temperatures are expected to drop by 2-3°C in the next 24 hours.

2. No significant changes in maximum temperatures are anticipated for the following 3-4 days.

3. Vishnugarh in Hazaribagh recorded the highest rainfall of 118.3 mm in the past 24 hours.

The monsoon season, which began on June 1, has seen a 61% deficit in rainfall compared to the normal levels.

Jharkhand has received only 73.5 mm of rain against the expected 189.5 mm for this period.

"Godda district has experienced the most significant shortfall, with 78% less rainfall than normal," added Anand.

Residents are advised to stay alert and follow local weather updates as the situation develops.