Ranchi — A deep depression over the Bay of Bengal has brought heavy rain and strong winds to Jharkhand, disrupting normal life across several parts of the state and affecting air and road connectivity.
The spell of unsettled weather has continued for the past four days, with the state capital Ranchi among the worst-affected areas. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) and state authorities have issued weather alerts for several districts as heavy showers and thunderstorms continue.
According to the Meteorological Centre in Ranchi, the deep depression is moving northwestwards, resulting in widespread rainfall across Jharkhand.
While the persistent rain has caused disruption and a sharp fall in temperatures, it has also helped improve the state’s overall monsoon rainfall situation. Jharkhand’s rainfall deficit has now narrowed to around 5 per cent.
Between June 1 and September 24, the state recorded 935.7 mm of rainfall, bringing the seasonal total close to normal. Ranchi has received 1,295.1 mm during the same period, around 9 per cent above its normal rainfall.
Air services were among the major casualties of the adverse weather. Poor visibility and unfavourable conditions prevented four flights scheduled to land at Birsa Munda Airport in Ranchi on Friday morning.
Flights arriving from Pune and Delhi were diverted to Varanasi, while some Mumbai-Ranchi services were sent back to Kolkata. A Delhi-Ranchi flight also had its schedule revised, leaving passengers facing delays and inconvenience.
Road connectivity was affected by heavy rain and gusty winds, which reached speeds of 40-50 kmph in several areas. In Ranchi, uprooted trees fell across roads and onto vehicles at locations including AG More, Kadru, Kokar and near Surendranath School, disrupting traffic movement.
The weather also damaged infrastructure elsewhere in the state. In neighbouring Khunti district, a bridge over the Banai river in Torpa was damaged amid the adverse conditions.
Authorities have taken precautionary measures in several districts, including the closure of schools in areas affected by the weather.
Ranchi recorded a maximum temperature of 24.3 degrees Celsius on Friday, around 5.3 degrees below normal, reflecting the impact of the prolonged rain.
The IMD has issued Orange and Yellow alerts for heavy rainfall and thunderstorms in eight districts — Palamu, Garhwa, Chatra, Latehar, Hazaribagh, Koderma, Giridih and Deoghar — for September 25.
Light to moderate rainfall accompanied by thunderstorms is expected to continue on September 26 and 27. Weather conditions are likely to improve from September 28, offering some respite from the prolonged spell of unsettled weather.
The weather department has advised residents to avoid open areas, trees and electric poles during thunderstorms and lightning. People have also been urged to exercise caution while travelling through waterlogged roads and other areas affected by heavy rainfall.
–IANS