Mercury rises in Jamshedpur as dry spell continues 

Jamshedpur, March 22: The local Meteorological Centre, which monitors the weather for the region, has predicted a dry spell with the maximum temperature climbing to beyond 38  degrees Celsius, in several parts of the Kolhan region.

The maximum temperature in Jamshedpur and several other districts  had already touched  38 degrees Celsius. The day’s reading has been hovering over 37 degree Celsius in Jamshedpur for the second consecutive day today.

According to the Met forecast, the maximum temperature was expected to witness a rising trend due to the dominating westerly wind. The night readings, however, witnessed a slight fall hovering between 14-17 degree Celsius in most parts of the state. According to weathermen, the night readings witnessed a fall as the cloud cover left out by a  recent cyclonic circulation got cleared. The system was resulting in moisture inflow into the atmosphere.  

The officials added that Chhotanagpur plateau regions were devoid of North-westerly winds this year. The North-westerly winds usually originate from Chhotanagpur plateau and bring rain. However, this year so far the region has been deprived of such, resulting in steady rise in the maximum temperature.

“We are not used to living under such heat conditions. It is perhaps for the first time that we witnessed a harsh March this season. There was a time when the mercury crossed 35 or 36, but the weather cooled with rain showers in the evening. The trends have changed. We have no choice but to reel under soaring mercury,” Ramesh Das, a bank employee.

An official of Patna Meteorological Office informed that the month of March is the hottest period so far in the city. The maximum temperature will continue to rise due to the westerly winds dominating the State.

He explained that in the absence of rain, the mercury was witnessing a steeper rise.  “Strong westerly winds are dominating over the state and it is preventing the easterly winds from taking over. We are expecting a change in the wind pattern only after the next 48-hours,” said the senior Met official.

Notably, Jamshedpur has a record of maximum temperature in June 1942. Data revealed that on June 11 ( today is also June 11), 1942, the steel city recorded the highest maximum reading of 47.2 degree Celsius.

“The summers have arrived and in the coming days, the temperature will rise further. The sky would remain clear and there are no signs of rain, which could provide relief when the temperature is rising,” a Met department official said. He said that the dry westerly and northwesterly winds from Bay of Bengal are making the temperature rise.

Meanwhile city-based senior doctor, Dr. U K Srivastava said that people should take extra care during such sweltering weather conditions. “I am of the opinion that special arrangements should be made in all government hospitals and community health centres across the city to treat those suffering from sunstroke. Children are more prone to heat related diseases. There should be arrangement of air-conditioners or air-coolers for the treatment of such patients,” he noted.