Ranchi: The relentless heatwave which has been continuing in Jharkhand, especially north-western parts for the last 11 days is expected to continue for another four days.
It was a scorching Friday across Jharkhand with most districts recording day temperatures of 40 degrees and above prompting the Met Office to extend the heatwave condition alert till April 12.
Jamshedpur recorded 41 degrees for the second consecutive day. In capital Ranchi, the day’s reading touched 39 degrees for the second day in a row, around four notches above normal. According to Met officials, the day temperature in the state capital was expected to cross 41 degrees in the next 48 hours. Daltonganj was the hottest on Friday with the mercury touching the 43-degree mark for the second consecutive day, four notches above normal.
Weather experts said the day’s reading was expected to rise in Palamu and in other districts of the north-western region due to dry weather conditions. In the next 48 hours, the worst-affected districts would be Giridih, Garhwa, Palamu, Latehar, Lohardaga and Gumla where day’s readings are expected to be three to four degrees above normal. The Met Center has predicted that the dry spell would continue in Jharkhand for the next few days.
Scientists at the local weather Station in Ranchi said that the entire state is in the grip of westerly winds which usually spikes the maximum temperatures. The weather chart also indicated that westerly winds were dominating the state.
The current spell of the heatwave has been continuing for the last eleven days since March 29, which is a record in recent years.