Ranchi, July 7: Monsoon intensified across Jharkhand on Monday under the influence of a deep depression and a low pressure system over the Bay of Bengal, bringing widespread rainfall, cooler temperatures and prompting the India Meteorological Department (IMD) to issue a yellow alert for heavy rain, thunderstorms and gusty winds across several districts.
Intermittent rain over the past two days affected normal life in Ranchi and several other districts. According to the IMD, Ranchi received 37 mm of rainfall in the last 24 hours, while another weather report recorded 12.6 mm rainfall on Monday. The highest rainfall in the state was 79.8 mm at Neemdih in Seraikela-Kharsawan district.
“The low-pressure system formed over the northwest Bay of Bengal and Odisha is expected to cross Jharkhand within the next 24 hours, bringing moderate to heavy rainfall, thunderstorms and winds of 40–50 kmph,” IMD scientist Abhishek Anand said.
The weather office has forecast heavy rainfall at isolated places on Tuesday, with cloudy skies and light to moderate rain likely to persist across the state on July 8 and 9.
The rainfall has brought relief from humid conditions, with temperatures dropping by 4 degrees Celsius in Medininagar and 1.8 degrees Celsius in Ranchi over the past 24 hours.
However, the state continues to face a rainfall shortfall. IMD data showed that Jharkhand received 142.6 mm of rainfall between June 1 and July 6 against the normal 246.2 mm, leaving a deficit of 103 mm.
Among the worst-affected districts, Garhwa recorded an 89 per cent rainfall deficit, Godda 79 per cent, Koderma 76 per cent, Khunti 74 per cent and Bokaro 55 per cent, while Ranchi remained 11 per cent below normal. In contrast, Simdega, Dhanbad and Gumla recorded above-normal rainfall during the period.
Despite the fresh spell of rain, water levels in major reservoirs remain lower than last year’s levels, indicating that recent showers have not significantly improved water storage.
The IMD has advised residents to avoid open areas, trees and electric poles during thunderstorms and to refrain from unnecessary travel during heavy rain and strong winds.
