Public safety stepped up amid fresh rain alert in Jharkhand
Jamshedpur: With Jharkhand set to witness a fresh spell of thunderstorms and heavy rainfall in the coming days, the East Singhbhum district administration has stepped up public safety measures.
Deputy Commissioner Karn Satyarthi on Monday flagged off the Lightning Protection Chariot from the Collectorate premises to spread awareness about safety during lightning strikes. The chariot will travel across rural and urban areas, informing people about simple but life-saving precautions. “Awareness is the biggest measure to protect from natural disasters. This initiative aims to reach as many people as possible so that the risk to human life can be minimised,” the Deputy Commissioner said.
Citizens have been advised to avoid open fields, tall trees, and electric poles during thunderstorms, switch off electrical appliances at home, and seek immediate shelter indoors. Farmers have been urged to leave fields at the first sign of lightning, while those caught in open spaces have been instructed to crouch with ears covered rather than lie flat.
The awareness campaign comes against the backdrop of an India Meteorological Department (IMD) forecast of intense weather activity in Jharkhand under the influence of a low-pressure system over the Bay of Bengal. The system is likely to intensify into a depression and cross the Odisha–Andhra Pradesh coast on August 19.
According to the IMD, thunderstorms, lightning, and gusty winds (30–40 kmph) are expected at isolated places on August 19 and 21, while heavy rainfall is likely over the north-eastern and central parts of Jharkhand on August 20 and across several districts between August 22–23. The IMD has urged residents, especially in vulnerable areas, to remain cautious against waterlogging, lightning strikes, and strong winds.
With simultaneous warnings and preventive initiatives, the administration hopes to reduce risks and ensure community preparedness during the approaching spell of rough weather.
The campaign will travel through rural and urban areas to educate citizens on precautionary measures to be followed during lightning strikes. “Awareness is the biggest measure to protect from natural disasters. This initiative aims to reach maximum people so that the risk of loss of life can be minimized,” the Deputy Commissioner said.
The initiative comes in the backdrop of the India Meteorological Department’s (IMD) forecast of an active weather spell across Jharkhand under the influence of a low-pressure system developing over the Bay of Bengal. The system, expected to intensify into a depression and cross the Odisha–Andhra Pradesh coast on August 19, is likely to bring thunderstorms, lightning, gusty winds, and heavy rainfall at isolated places in Jharkhand between August 19 and 23. The IMD has advised residents to remain alert for possible waterlogging, lightning strikes, and gusty winds.
