Jamshedpur, Aug. 2: A low-pressure zone over North Bay of Bengal off the neighboring West Bengal and Odisha coasts triggered widespread rainfall in Kolkan region since early morning on Tuesday.
D. G. Hedau, a senior official at IMD’s Ranchi Meteorological Centre said that the low pressure area coupled with an associated upper air cyclonic circulation extending up to the mid troposphere level is resulting in widespread rain. The system is likely to intensify in the next 48-hours.
The IMD centers at Patna and Ranchi also issued a warning of heavy rainfall in isolated pockets of south and central Jharkhand for today and tomorrow.
The forecast says that several places will experience moderate rain of over 20 mm.
Mohanpur in Dumka, Jamshedpur and its adjoining areas received about 25 mm of rain while Ranchi, Chakradharpur in West Singhbhum and many other places received over 10 mm of rain. The IMD observatory at Daltonganj recorded less than 10 mm of rain.
According to weathermen at Patna, the low-pressure is gradually intensifying. “Though the monsoon normally sways during this time of the season, it was weak in Jharkhand because the trough had shifted away. However, it got reinstated due to the low pressure,” said a weather analyst at Patna.
Meanwhile, commuters faced harrowing time with potholes on the nearly one-kilometer long Tatanagar overbridge, the only approach way from north-eastern part of city to the Tatanagar station.
The condition of the bridge, maintained by South Eastern Railway, especially its end near the Station road is dotted with potholes and craters which during rainy seasons add to the woes.
The over bridge whose foundation stone was laid in 2002 and was built at a cost of Rs 15-crore jointly by Tata Steel and the Railways on a 50:50 basis got operational in 2007 and witnesses a footfall of over 50,000 a day. Nearly 10,000 vehicles, including two-wheelers and commercial vehicles, use the stretch.
Tatanagar station assistant engineer (AEN) S. K Das admitted of the problem and assured of remedial measures after the spell of rains.
Rains during the past two days have also affected petty vendors, who are finding it difficult to earn their daily bread in such situation.
Many parts of Mango and Jugsalai are still under knee-deep water, making it difficult for people to move. Most of the roads are dotted with stalled vehicles, adding to the chaos. In some low lying areas several autos have been reported stranded in water.
However despite claims from the district administration, the situation in the city may get worse if steps are not taken to remove water clogging in several areas and take other preventive measures.
“Though irregular rains have made life difficult for the residents but still there has not been much flooding even in the low-lying areas.
We are keeping a vigil look and are prepared to face any flood like situation,” said an officer of Mango Notified Area Committee.