Jamshedpur rain brings relief as deficit shrinks

Heavy showers alert in 8 districts on Monday

Mail News Service

Jamshedpur, July 5: Intermittent rain accompanied by thunder lashed Jamshedpur on Sunday, bringing much-needed relief from humid conditions and contributing to a steady improvement in Jharkhand’s monsoon rainfall.
With a fresh depression over the northwest Bay of Bengal expected to move inland, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecast another spell of widespread rain across the state, which is likely to further reduce the seasonal rainfall deficit.
According to the latest rainfall statistics released by the Meteorological Centre, Ranchi, Jharkhand has received 129 mm of rainfall against the normal 236.1 mm between June 1 and July 5, leaving the state with an overall rainfall deficit of 45 per cent.
Notably, June- the first monsoon month had ended with 54 per cent deficit.
The deficit has narrowed significantly from 54 per cent recorded four days ago, thanks to widespread showers across several districts during the past week.
However, East Singhbhum, including Jamshedpur, continues to face a sizeable rainfall deficit. The district has so far received 136.1 mm of rain against the normal 283.7 mm, a shortfall of 52 per cent.
The district-wise rainfall data show that Ranchi (-16%), Simdega (-15%) and Dumka (-16%) are nearing normal rainfall, while Garhwa (-89%), Godda (-83%), Koderma (-78%), Chatra (-74%), Pakur (-69%), Lohardaga (-62%) and Bokaro (-61%) continue to remain in the scanty rainfall category.
The IMD has forecast heavy rain at isolated places over Gumla, Ranchi, Lohardaga, Latehar, Garhwa, Palamu, Chatra and Hazaribagh on Monday.
Heavy rainfall is expected to shift towards the north-eastern districts, including Dhanbad, on Tuesday before affecting adjoining areas on Wednesday. Thunderstorms accompanied by lightning and gusty winds of 40-50 kmph are also likely across the state till July 9.
The weather activity is being driven by a depression over the northwest Bay of Bengal that intensified on Sunday morning and is expected to cross the north Odisha coast before moving across north Odisha and adjoining Chhattisgarh, injecting abundant moisture into the region.
“The recent spell of rainfall has helped improve the seasonal rainfall position across Jharkhand. With the depression moving inland, rainfall activity is expected to intensify further over the state during the next two to three days. This should help reduce the rainfall deficit further, though isolated heavy rain, thunderstorms and lightning warrant caution,” an official of the IMD’s Meteorological Centre, Ranchi, said.
Intermittent rain continued across Jamshedpur throughout Sunday, with several localities witnessing brief but intense showers accompanied by thunder. The rainfall also caused a sharp drop in daytime temperatures, bringing relief from the sultry weather experienced over the past few days.
“It has been raining on and off since morning. The weather has become much more pleasant and the heat has finally subsided,” said Avinash Singh, a resident of Kadma.
“We were waiting for proper monsoon rain. Sunday’s showers cooled the city, and we hope the coming spell will improve the water situation further,” said Sushmita Ghosh, a resident of Sonari.
Elsewhere in the state, Jagannathpur block in West Singhbhum recorded the highest rainfall of 50.4 mm during the past 24 -hours.
Meteorologists said the active monsoon phase is expected to continue over Jharkhand for the next few days, raising hopes of a further reduction in the state’s rainfall deficit while improving agricultural prospects.