Jamshedpur, April 18: The Ranchi Meteorological Centre has issued a thunderstorm warning for multiple regions of Jharkhand over the next three days, cautioning residents about potential lightning strikes, gusty winds, and unstable weather conditions. The alert, based on evolving atmospheric disturbances, covers both urban and rural parts of the state, particularly affecting the northeastern, southeastern, and adjoining central regions.
According to the forecast issued by the Met Centre: Thunderstorms accompanied by lightning and gusty winds reaching speeds of 40–50 kmph are likely to occur at isolated places across the northeastern, southeastern, and central parts of Jharkhand. Residents in these areas are urged to remain vigilant and take necessary precautions. April 19: Similar weather conditions are expected to persist, with thunderstorm activity spreading across most parts of the state, excluding the western region. The potential for lightning remains high, with sporadic gusty winds continuing throughout the day.April 20: The intensity of the wind is expected to reduce slightly, with forecasted wind speeds ranging from 30–40 kmph. Thunderstorms are likely to impact isolated places across the state, again excluding the western districts.
Meteorologists attribute this spell of turbulent weather to the interaction of two active weather systems currently influencing the region: A trough in the westerlies, extending from Sikkim to North Odisha across West Bengal and Jharkhand, is present at an altitude of 3.1 to 5.8 km above mean sea level. This system is injecting moisture and instability into the atmosphere, contributing to the development of thunderstorms.
A secondary trough, associated with a cyclonic circulation over East Madhya Pradesh, stretches through Chhattisgarh and Jharkhand up to Gangetic West Bengal, and lies at an altitude of approximately 1.5 km above mean sea level. This low-level system is amplifying convective activity, setting the stage for frequent lightning and gusty surface winds.
In light of the upcoming weather, the Met Centre has issued a public advisory urging citizens to exercise caution during thunderstorms. People are advised to stay indoors, especially during periods of lightning activity, and to secure loose outdoor objects such as tarpaulins, hoardings, and temporary structures that could be blown away by strong winds.
Local administrations and disaster response teams have been put on alert to handle any emergencies, particularly in vulnerable areas. The public is encouraged to follow updates from official weather agencies, monitor local news, and use mobile-based weather alert services for timely information.
