Ranchi: The monsoon has once again gained momentum in Jharkhand, bringing heavy rainfall to many parts of the state. The Meteorological Department has issued a yellow alert for 16 districts, warning that the rainfall will continue for the next 24 to 72 hours. Along with the capital Ranchi, areas in Santhal Pargana, Kolhan division, and the Chotanagpur region are likely to experience intense rain.
The forecast came true on Monday evening as Ranchi saw heavy downpours. People returning home from work faced serious difficulties due to waterlogging in several areas. Around 5 p.m., heavy rain hit places like Kokar, Kantatoli, Chutia, Rajendra Chowk, and Main Road, leading to water accumulation at multiple spots.
Areas like the Siramtoli Bridge in Kokar, Ranchi Station Road in Chutia, and Siramtoli Chowk saw major waterlogging, making it particularly hard for two-wheeler riders to navigate. Women riders especially faced challenging conditions.
The weather department had warned two days ago that the monsoon was becoming active again, increasing the chances of rain across the state. It also cautioned people about possible lightning strikes and advised taking precautions.
Though light showers were seen on Monday morning and afternoon, the heavy rain in the evening flooded streets and neighborhood lanes across Ranchi. This situation raised questions about the preparedness of the municipal administration. At the same time, with Durga Puja preparations underway, the late evening rain added to the challenges faced by the festival committees.
The rain that began at 5 p.m. continued without pause, accompanied by thunder at intervals. According to the weather bulletin released on Monday, a cyclonic circulation is present at an altitude of 3.1 to 5.8 kilometers above sea level over eastern Bihar and surrounding areas. Another cyclonic circulation is forming over the southeast Bay of Bengal, spreading up to 3.1 kilometers above sea level.
As a result, Jharkhand is expected to experience light to moderate rainfall across almost all districts between September 15 and 18, with some areas likely to receive heavy to very heavy downpours.