Various districts across Jharkhand including the State capital witnessed heavy rain accompanied with strong winds and a steep drop in the temperature levels on Friday.

With 23.4 mm of rainfall released on Friday, the maximum temperature in Ranchi plummeted by almost 10 degrees. As per the data shared by The MET Centre, Ranchi, the maximum temperature here on Wednesday was recorded at 34.8 degree Celsius while on Friday it had come down to 24.5 degree Celsius.

The data also stated that the maximum amount of rainfall was recorded in Gumla at 23.5 mm. Latehar received 20 mm of rain followed by Lohardaga and Khunti at 18.5 mm and 18 mm respectively. Bokaro witnessed 16.4 mm of rain while Jamshedpur got 8 mm. Gumla, Lohardaga and Ranchi are said to have witnessed hailstorm as well.

As per the bulletin released by the MET Centre, Ranchi on Friday evening, the maximum temperature in Jamshedpur was recorded at 27.6 degree Celsius while on Wednesday it was at 37.1 degree Celsius. Daltonganj was observed at 25.1 degree Celsius as against 36.2 degree Celsius recorded in mid- week. Bokaro and Chaibasa were recorded at 26.1 and 29.8 degree Celsius respectively as against 37.1 and 38.8 degree Celsius on Wednesday.

For March 22, the Meteorological Department has issued an orange alert for southern, central and north eastern parts of Jharkhand for thunderstorm and gusty winds of speed up to 40- 50 km per hour. These include East Singhbhum, West Singhbhum, Simdega, Saraikela- Kharsawan, Ranchi, Khunti, Gumla, Ramgarh, Hazaribag, Deoghar, Dhanbad, and Dumka. North western parts of the State may also witness winds with a speed of approximately 30- 40 km per hour along with thunderstorms.

/For March 23, an orange alert stating thunderstorms and strong winds of around 30- 40 km per hour has been issued for south eastern and north eastern districts in the State.

From March 24 onwards, the skies are expected to clear with a rise in the maximum temperature levels informed Director MET Centre, Ranchi, Abhishek Anand.