Heavy rain alert issued for several districts till July 14

PNS

Ranchi

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has said that the southwest monsoon remains fully active over Jharkhand, with widespread rainfall recorded across almost all parts of the state during the past 24 hours. The Ranchi Meteorological Centre has forecast heavy rainfall in several districts from July 12 onwards and has also issued warnings for thunderstorms, lightning and gusty winds.

According to the weather office, there is unlikely to be any significant change in maximum temperatures over the next two days. Thereafter, daytime temperatures are expected to fall by 3 to 4 degrees Celsius during the following two days due to persistent rainfall.

For July 12, the IMD has forecast generally cloudy skies with a strong possibility of light to moderate rainfall accompanied by thunderstorms at many places across the state. Rain activity is expected to intensify further on July 13 and 14, when light to moderate rainfall is likely to occur at nearly all locations in Jharkhand.

The weather department has also warned of thunderstorms accompanied by lightning and gusty winds blowing at speeds of 40-50 kmph at isolated places on July 12. Between July 13 and 15, wind speeds are expected to remain between 30 and 40 kmph in several parts of the state.

Heavy rainfall is likely at isolated places in Deoghar, Dumka, Giridih, Godda, Jamtara, Pakur, Sahibganj and Dhanbad districts on July 12. On July 13, the heavy rain alert has been extended to include East Singhbhum, West Singhbhum and Seraikela-Kharsawan in addition to the previously listed districts.

On July 14, the IMD has forecast heavy rainfall at isolated places in Deoghar, Dumka, Giridih, Godda, Jamtara, Pakur, Sahibganj, Dhanbad, Bokaro, Ramgarh, Hazaribagh and Koderma districts.

The Meteorological Centre has advised people to remain indoors or move to safe shelters during thunderstorms, lightning and adverse weather conditions. Farmers have been specifically urged to avoid working in open fields during lightning activity and to refrain from taking shelter under trees or near electric poles to minimize the risk of lightning-related accidents.