Jamshedpur: Jharkhand is likely to witness a fresh spell of widespread rainfall as a weather system over the northwest Bay of Bengal is expected to strengthen into a deep depression before making landfall along the north Odisha–West Bengal coast on Monday.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) said the system, which developed from a well-marked low-pressure area into a depression on Saturday morning, is currently positioned over the northwest Bay of Bengal. It is expected to move northwestward, intensify over the next 24 hours, and cross the coast between Paradip and Sagar Island.
Meteorologists said the deepening depression, combined with the monsoon trough passing through Ranchi and favourable atmospheric conditions over central India, is expected to boost monsoon activity across Jharkhand.
The IMD has forecast thunderstorms accompanied by lightning and gusty winds reaching 30–40 kmph at isolated places across the state on July 27. Heavy rainfall is also likely over southern and adjoining central districts, including Ranchi, Gumla, Khunti, and Lohardaga.
On July 28, the zone of heavy rainfall is expected to shift towards the southern and southwestern districts, covering West Singhbhum, Simdega, Gumla, Khunti, and Lohardaga, while thunderstorms and gusty winds are likely to continue across much of the state.
Similar weather conditions, including thunderstorms with lightning and gusty winds, are expected at isolated places on July 29 and 30. However, the IMD has not issued any major weather warnings for July 31 and August 1.
The Meteorological Centre has also predicted rainfall in most parts of Jharkhand today, including Ranchi, Jamshedpur, Bokaro, and several nearby districts.