Rain, thunderstorm activity to continue across Jharkhand till July 12

Mail News Service

Jamshedpur, July 8: Intermittent rain, thunderstorms and gusty winds are expected to continue across Jharkhand till July 12 under the influence of a well-marked low-pressure area and favourable monsoon conditions, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) said on Wednesday.

The weather office has forecast thunderstorms accompanied by lightning and gusty winds reaching 40-50 kmph at isolated places across the state on July 8, 9, 11 and 12.
A heavy rainfall alert has been issued for northeastern parts of Jharkhand in next 24- hours, while isolated heavy rain is likely over Ranchi, Lohardaga, Gumla and adjoining Latehar district on July 12.

Meteorologists attributed the weather activity to a well-marked low-pressure area over northwest Madhya Pradesh and adjoining southwest Uttar Pradesh, which persists with an associated cyclonic circulation extending up to 9.6 km above mean sea level. The system is likely to move north-northwestwards before recurving towards the northeast.

The monsoon trough currently passes through the low-pressure area, Jharkhand and north Gangetic West Bengal, while another upper-air trough extending from the northeast Arabian Sea to Sikkim is providing abundant moisture to eastern India.

Meanwhile, Jharkhand continues to record a significant rainfall shortfall. Data released by the IMD showed that the state received 174.2 mm of rain against the normal 265 mm till July 8, leaving it with a 34 per cent monsoon deficit.
Weather experts, however, said the forecast spell of rain over the next few days is expected to improve rainfall distribution and help reduce the existing deficit across several districts of the state.