Cyclonic storm Montha to impact Jharkhand’s weather

Mail News Service

Ranchi/Jamshedpur, Oct 28: As severe cyclonic storm ‘Montha’ barrels towards the Andhra coast, Jharkhand braces for heavy rainfall over the next four days.

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecast widespread rain accompanied by thunderstorm, lightning and gusty winds across several parts of the state, particularly the north-eastern, south-western and central districts.

According to the IMD bulletin, Montha — pronounced Mon-Tha — was centered over the west-central Bay of Bengal near latitude 14.9°N and longitude 82.9°E at 8.30 a.m. on Tuesday. The system, moving north-northwest at about 12 kmph, lay about 160 km south-southeast of Machilipatnam, 240 km south-southeast of Kakinada, and 530 km south-southwest of Gopalpur (Odisha).

The storm is expected to make landfall between Machilipatnam and Kalingapatnam around Kakinada late on Tuesday evening as a severe cyclonic storm with wind speeds of 90–100 kmph, gusting up to 110 kmph.

Rainfall Impact in Jharkhand

The outer bands of the cyclone have already brought moderate to heavy rainfall in parts of Jharkhand.

Jamshedpur on Tuesday recorded 30.5 mm of rain till 8.30 p.m., Ranchi received 15 mm, and Chaibasa in West Singhbhum logged around 5 mm.

IMD Forecast

Oct 29: Heavy rainfall likely over north-eastern, south-western, and adjoining central parts of the state.

Oct 30: Heavy rain to continue over north-western and central Jharkhand.

Oct 31: Isolated heavy showers expected in north-eastern districts.

Nov 1: Conditions likely to improve gradually.

Railways on Alert

The South Eastern Railway (SER) has issued an alert to all divisions, including Chakradharpur, in view of the impending cyclonic impact.

Precautionary measures such as speed restrictions, station readiness, and round-the-clock monitoring of vulnerable sections have been put in place.

Railway officials confirmed that track patrol teams are on standby, especially in hilly and forested stretches between Goelkera, Manoharpur, and Rourkela, where heavy rainfall could trigger waterlogging or minor landslides.

Train operations in the Howrah-Mumbai main line and Tatanagar-Chakradharpur-Rourkela section are being closely monitored.

The divisional control office has been directed to remain in constant coordination with IMD and local disaster management authorities.

Advisory to Citizens

Authorities have advised residents to stay indoors during thunderstorms, avoid waterlogged areas, and secure loose objects.

Farmers have also been urged to take precautions to protect standing crops from strong winds and heavy rain.

With Montha expected to weaken after landfall but still bring significant rainfall to Jharkhand, disaster response teams have been placed on alert across East Singhbhum, West Singhbhum, Seraikela-Kharsawan, and Ranchi districts. ( w / pm