Jamshedpur: Jamshedpur is grappling with an escalating flood threat as unrelenting monsoon showers over the past several days have pushed both Kharkai and Subarnarekha rivers perilously close to overflowing.
According to the latest hydrological readings, the Kharkai river at the Adityapur Bridge point has already crossed its danger level, flowing at 129.96 metres against the designated threshold of 129.00 metres. Meanwhile, the Subarnarekha river at the Mango Bridge point has risen to 120.64 metres, inching closer to its danger mark of 121.50 metres.
In response, the East Singhbhum district administration has sounded an alert and ramped up vigilance across low-lying and flood-prone areas, including Mango, Bagbera, Jugsalai, Shastrinagar, and parts of Adityapur. Rescue teams equipped with boats and emergency supplies have been placed on standby, while temporary shelters are being readied to accommodate possible evacuees.
Officials have urged residents to avoid venturing near riverbanks, stay indoors during heavy rainfall, and prepare emergency kits containing essentials. Movement in vulnerable zones is being closely regulated, and precautionary evacuations may be initiated if water levels continue to rise in the coming hours.
“With further rain predicted over the next 24 to 48 hours, we are taking every measure to ensure public safety,” said a senior official from the disaster management cell. “People must remain alert, avoid unnecessary travel, and follow updates issued by the administration.”
Residents have been advised to keep their mobile phones charged, store drinking water and dry food, and assist the elderly and children in preparing for any emergency. The district control room is monitoring the situation round the clock and coordinating with civic bodies to respond swiftly to any developments.
Heavy rainfall, thunderstorm alert issued across Jharkhand
Jamshedpur: The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has sounded a weather alert for Jharkhand, forecasting heavy rainfall, thunderstorms, and gusty winds over several parts of the state in the next few days.
According to the IMD bulletin, a well-marked low-pressure area currently positioned over Gangetic West Bengal and adjoining Jharkhand, along with an associated cyclonic circulation extending up to 7.6 km above mean sea level, continues to influence weather conditions across eastern India.
The system is expected to drift slowly west-northwestwards, moving across Jharkhand and north Chhattisgarh over the next 48 hours.
As a result, heavy rainfall is likely at isolated locations in the north-western and north-central districts, including Palamu, Garhwa, Chatra, Latehar, Hazaribagh, and parts of Santhal Pargana.
Thunderstorms and lightning activity, accompanied by gusty winds reaching speeds of 30–40 km per hour, have also been forecast for several isolated pockets across the state. The IMD has warned that these weather conditions may persist intermittently, keeping the risk of localized disturbances high.
In addition to the low-pressure area, the monsoon trough at mean sea level currently stretches from Amritsar to the northeast Bay of Bengal, passing through Daltonganj and the center of the low-pressure system. Another trough line, extending from West Assam to Telangana across interior Odisha and south Chhattisgarh at about 3.1 km altitude, is expected to contribute further instability to the region’s atmosphere.
Due to the combined impact of these meteorological features, the state is likely to experience enhanced monsoon activity, with potential for sudden downpours, waterlogging, and temporary disruption to road movement.
The weather office has urged residents, particularly farmers and daily commuters, to remain vigilant against sudden weather changes, reduced visibility, and water accumulation in low-lying areas. Authorities have been advised to stay on standby to respond to any emergencies arising from localized flooding or damage due to lightning and strong winds.
