Ranchi, Aug 29: Eleven of Jharkhand’s 24 districts are facing rainfall deficiency this monsoon, with Pakur recording the highest shortfall of 54 per cent, according to the Ranchi Meteorological Centre.
The state’s overall rainfall deficit stands at 10 per cent, which remains within the normal range, Deputy Director of the Ranchi Meteorological Centre Abhishek Anand said.
Jharkhand received 698 mm of rainfall between June 1 and August 28, against the normal precipitation of 778.3 mm during the period. Under IMD norms, a rainfall deviation of up to 19 per cent is considered normal.
According to the latest weather bulletin, Pakur received only 408.3 mm of rainfall against its normal 878.2 mm, resulting in a 54 per cent deficit.
Deoghar recorded the second-highest shortfall at 48 per cent, followed by Koderma at 40 per cent, Garhwa and Giridih at 37 per cent each, Godda at 31 per cent and Hazaribag at 30 per cent.
Meanwhile, six districts have recorded surplus rainfall. West Singhbhum registered the highest surplus at 42 per cent. Seven other districts received rainfall within the normal range.
Anand attributed the uneven distribution of rainfall to several factors, including El Niño and local weather conditions. He noted that southern districts such as West Singhbhum, East Singhbhum, Simdega and Seraikela-Kharsawan generally receive better rainfall because of their proximity to the Bay of Bengal.
In contrast, northeastern districts such as Pakur and Deoghar tend to receive comparatively less rainfall.
However, the weather department expects the rainfall deficit to narrow in the coming days, with good rainfall activity forecast over Jharkhand until September 5.
The IMD has issued a yellow alert for isolated thunderstorms, lightning and heavy rainfall across several parts of the state between August 29 and September 1.
On Saturday, heavy rainfall is likely in Dumka, Deoghar, Jamtara, Giridih, West Singhbhum, East Singhbhum, Seraikela-Kharsawan and Dhanbad, according to the weather bulletin.
