Alrt issued for thunderstorms and gusty winds in Jharkhand

Jamshedpur: India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued an alert for Jharkhand, predicting thunderstorms, lightning, and gusty winds at isolated places over the next few days. The forecast comes ahead of the formation of a fresh low-pressure system over the northwest Bay of Bengal, likely to develop around September 2, which may revive monsoon activity across eastern India.

According to the IMD bulletin, the monsoon trough at mean sea level currently runs through Bikaner, Ajmer, Guna, Damoh, Raipur, and Puri before stretching into the central Bay of Bengal. The trough extends up to 0.9 km above mean sea level, with embedded cyclonic circulations identified over southwest Madhya Pradesh and northwest Rajasthan.

In addition, an upper air cyclonic circulation is persisting over the northwest Bay of Bengal, off the West Bengal–Odisha coasts, between 1.5 km and 5.8 km above mean sea level, tilting southwestward with height. These combined systems are expected to influence the regional weather in the coming days.

Over the past 24 hours, monsoon activity remained subdued across Jharkhand. Only very light to light rainfall, accompanied by occasional thunderstorms, was reported at isolated locations. The highest rainfall, 13.8 mm, was recorded at Panchet Dam. Other parts of the state received negligible trace amounts of rain.

The weather office has warned that thunderstorms and lightning, accompanied by gusty winds at speeds of 30–40 kmph, may occur at isolated places in the state. Farmers, outdoor workers, and residents in open areas have been urged to take adequate precautions against lightning strikes and sudden gusts of wind.

The IMD has indicated that with the formation of the fresh low-pressure area over the Bay of Bengal, rainfall activity is expected to pick up momentum from September 2 onwards. Widespread showers are likely across eastern India, covering Jharkhand, Odisha, and West Bengal.

Meteorologists suggest that the system could provide much-needed rainfall for Jharkhand, where the monsoon has remained weak in recent days. The anticipated rains may also benefit standing crops in several districts, though farmers have been cautioned to stay alert during thunderstorms and lightning.

Officials added that updates on the system’s movement and intensity will be closely monitored, with district administrations expected to issue advisories as required.

With this new development in the Bay of Bengal, Jharkhand may see a shift from subdued rainfall to more active monsoon conditions in the coming week.