Pioneer News Service
Ranchi
The Meteorological Department, Ranchi predicted that the State will remain cloudy on July 20, with a likelihood of moderate rainfall. A ‘yellow alert’ has been issued for the districts of Koderma, Giridih, Dhanbad, Jamtara, Deoghar, Dumka, Pakur, Godda, and Sahibganj for this day.
Meteorologists predict that the spell of rain will continue across various parts of the State for the next four days. Heavy winds accompanied by rain are expected in several locations on July 20 and July 21, while thunderstorms are likely alongside rainfall in most parts of the State on July 22, the department added.
Meteorologist Abhishek Anand attributes these conditions to the influence of a low-pressure area and a cyclonic circulation formed over the Bay of Bengal. He states that once this system passes through the central region of Jharkhand, there is a possibility of continuous rainfall lasting one to two days.
The monsoon pattern in Jharkhand appears to have shifted this year. Data from the past week from July 12 to July 18 indicates that instead of prolonged, steady rainfall, the State is experiencing heavy downpours concentrated within just one or two hours.
Instances such as 60.5 mm of rain in Ramgarh on July 17, approximately 50 mm in Ranchi on July 18, and 41.5 mm in Simdega on July 16 exemplify this trend. Short, intense bursts of rain are also causing waterlogging in Medininagar and Chaibasa.
Farmers are finding relief due to this active spell of rainfall. The state’s rainfall deficit has narrowed by approximately 3 per cent over the last three days. While the deficit stood at 41 per cent below normal as of July 15, it has now decreased to 38 percent. Between June 1 and July 18, the state recorded 231.1 mm of rainfall against a normal average of 371.2 mm.
Meanwhile, Ranchi received 306.4 mm of rain compared to the normal 383.9 mm—a deficit of approximately 20 per cent.
