Storm disrupts Ram Navami festivities in Jamshedpur

Mail News Service

Jamshedpur, March 27: A sudden spell of thunderstorm, rain, and gusty winds on Friday evening briefly disrupted the vibrant Ram Navami celebrations in the steel city, forcing devotees and organisers to pause processions and seek shelter amid safety concerns.
The weather turned turbulent just as festivities gathered momentum, with dark clouds, lightning, and strong winds sweeping across several parts of Jamshedpur. Many akhara processions were slowed down, while decorative arches and tall flags faced difficulty due to wind speeds picking up sharply.

“The procession had to be halted for some time due to strong winds and lightning. Safety became the immediate priority,” said a member of a local akhara committee.
Despite the disruption, the spirit of devotion remained intact. Devotees waited patiently for conditions to improve before resuming the celebrations. However, intermittent showers and thunder continued to pose challenges through the evening.
An official from the Ranchi Meteorological Centre noted, “Such thunderstorm activity was anticipated, and similar conditions may persist over the next 24 hours, including during key festive movements.”

Light thundershower activity was also witnessed in Ranchi on Friday disrupting the Ram Navami immersion procession.

Authorities and organisers have since urged participants to remain cautious, particularly avoiding open spaces, electric poles, and tall structures during lightning activity.

With the weather expected to remain unsettled on Saturday as well, concerns persist over further interruptions during the immersion processions, even as the steel city continues to celebrate Ram Navami with enthusiasm and caution.