Heavy rainfall forecast across Jharkhand as monsoon activity intensifies

Jamshedpur: The India Meteorological Department (IMD), Ranchi, has issued a detailed alert as Jharkhand braces for a fresh spell of intense monsoon activity, fuelled by multiple active weather systems. A series of thunderstorms, lightning strikes, and heavy rainfall events are likely to impact various parts of the state from June 24 to June 26, prompting officials to advise residents—particularly those in vulnerable regions—to remain alert and take appropriate precautions.

According to the IMD’s latest forecast, heavy rainfall is expected at isolated locations in the north-eastern districts of Jharkhand today, while thunderstorms and lightning are likely across much of the state. The warning is part of a broader advisory issued in response to evolving atmospheric conditions.

The rainfall belt is projected to shift towards the south-western districts of Jharkhand on June 24 and 25, with isolated places expected to experience heavy downpours. The likelihood of thunderstorms and lightning will persist during this period across various regions, adding to the weather-related risk, especially in rural areas with fragile infrastructure.

On June 26, the weather activity will likely taper but thunderstorms and lightning are still expected at isolated locations, maintaining a heightened level of atmospheric instability across the state.

The ongoing monsoon surge is being driven by a combination of potent synoptic-scale systems. A low-pressure area that had earlier formed over southeast Uttar Pradesh and its neighbourhood is now located over the central parts of south Uttar Pradesh. This system is supported by an upper-air cyclonic circulation extending up to 5.8 km above mean sea level, with a southward tilt. While this system is expected to gradually weaken, it has already contributed to a significant moisture build-up and instability in the region.

Another major factor influencing Jharkhand’s weather is the presence of an east-west shear line, a common monsoon feature. The current shear line stretches from south Pakistan through central Rajasthan, northwest Madhya Pradesh, south Uttar Pradesh, Jharkhand, and into Bangladesh and adjoining Gangetic West Bengal. This shear line lies between 1.5 km and 4.5 km above mean sea level and also exhibits a southward tilt—an indication of strong monsoon dynamics at work.

As of June 23, the Northern Limit of Monsoon (NLM) has advanced significantly and now passes through: 25.0°N/60.0°E, 25.0°N/65.0°E, 25.5°N/70.0°E, Jaipur, Agra, Rampur, Dehradun, Shimla, Pathankot, Jammu, 33.5°N/73.0°E, and 34.0°N/71.0°E.

This indicates that the monsoon has moved substantially northward, covering several key parts of northern and northwestern India. The IMD notes that conditions are now favourable for further advancement, including deeper penetration into Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, and Jammu & Kashmir in the coming days.