Relief from heat as Jamshedpur receives 11.6 mm rain

Jamshedpur, May 20: Heavy rains laced with thunderstorms hit the Steel City Friday evening giving the denizens much needed respite from the soaring mercury. The heavy shower at around 4.30 pm broke the dry spell stayed for about an hour and touched a large part of the district along with Kolhan division.

Rain statics revealed that Jamshedpur recorded 11.6 mm of rain. Jamshedpur recorded maximum temperature of 40.2 degree Celsius on Friday while minimum was 27.2 degree Celsius with 77% humidity.

According to Abhishek Anand, director, Meteorological Centre, Ranchi, pre-monsoon showers have begun in Jharkhand as weather has started changing in Ranchi and other parts of the state.       

 However, for the average citizens of the Industrial town the shower has brought relief from the scorching sun. The entire Kolhan division has been reeling under heat wave and Friday shower has indeed given them the reprieve.

Areas like Mango, Jugsalai, Baghbera, Pardih have been the worst hit. Water clogging in these areas has made it difficult for people to move. Most of the roads are dotted with stalled vehicles, adding to the chaos. In some low lying areas several autos have been reported stranded in water.

“If it rains, the street is flooded and after a while, it becomes slushy, posing risk to motorists,” said Satendra Kumar a resident of Naya Bazaar, Jugsalai. Often, people are forced to wade through knee-deep water during the monsoons.

Traffic was disrupted as major main roads in the city were inundated. Commuters had a tough time wading through knee-deep water, at some places, to reach their destinations. There is also a fear of an outbreak of water-borne diseases.

“The rain is being a relief from the scorching summer heat and people do not mind at all being inconvenienced as they were prepared for such an eventuality,” said official Meteorological office.

According to Meteorological Centre, the onset of the southwest monsoon over Kerala is expected on May 27, nearly four days in advance of its normal date, June 1. If realised, it will be the first time since 2009 that the monsoon would arrive over the southern state as early as May 27, as per the onset dates data maintained by the India Meteorological Department (IMD)

The southwest monsoon is likely to advance into Jharkhand on June 8 or 9, Abhishek Anand informed.