Owing to the presence of a low pressure system over Jharkhand, an orange alert for heavy rainfall has been issued for the State for the next few days.

The Meteorological Centre, Ranchi has stated that the northern parts and adjoining areas of the State are likely to receive heavy to very heavy showers on August 20 and the rainfall is likely to be accompanied with thunderstorm and lighting as well.

On August 21 northwestern parts of the State will witness heavy showers while on August 22 and August 23 central and southern parts of Jharkhand will witness heavy rainfall.

“The low pressure system over Bangladesh and Gangetic West Bengal, Bihar and Jharkhand is expected to move northwestwards and cause rainfall in Jharkhand. Thus heavy to very heavy showers are expected. The other reason being position of the monsoon trough which is passing through the State, this is also favourable for Jharkhand and will cause rainfall,” said Director MET Centre, Ranchi Abhishek Anand.

For August 20 heavy showers are being predicted for the districts of Garhwa, Palamu, Latehar, Chatra, Hazaribagh, Koderma, Giridih, Deoghar , Dumka, Jamtara, Godda, Sahibganj and Pakur.

As per the bulletin shared by the MET Centre Ranchi, in the last 24 hours, the State capital has received a total of 16.6 mm of rainfall. The maximum rainfall has been recorded in Simdega at 18 mm.

From June 1 to August 19, the State has received a total of 594.6 mm of rainfall as against the required amount of 700.5 mm and has a deficit of 15% at present. The maximum deficit has been observed in Pakur at 54% followed by Deoghar at 42% and Chatra at 40%.