The residents of Jharkhand can look forward to some continued respite from the recent heat wave affecting the State as significant changes in the weather conditions with forecasts predicting light to moderate rainfall, thunderstorm, lighting and hailstorms are expected till March 23.
As per the statistics released by the MET Centre, Ranchi, till 5:30 pm on Thursday, maximum rainfall was recorded in Hazaribag at 14.5 mm. Gumla received 6.5 mm of rain followed by Deoghar at 3.0 mm, Jamtara and Khunti 2.0 mm and West Singhbhum which got 1.5 mm of rain.
Owing to the change in the weather, a fall in the maximum temperature levels was also observed across the State. Jamtara recorded the highest drop in the daytime temperature. The maximum temperature in this city on Wednesday was recorded at 36.6 degree Celsius while on Thursday evening it was recorded at 22.8 degree Celsius stating a drop of 13.8 degrees. The holy city of Deoghar too saw a drop in the maximum temperature by 12.9 degrees from 36.8 degree Celsius on Wednesday to 23.9 degree Celsius on Thursday.
In the last 24 hours, the temperature in the State capital also came down by 2.8 degrees to 32 degree Celsius on Thursday as compared to 34.8 degree Celsius on Wednesday evening. On Thursday, the daytime temperature in Bokaro was observed at 28.2 degree Celsius showing a drop by 8.9 degrees. Daltonganj and Jamshedpur were recorded at 31.7 and 33.5 degree Celsius with a temperature drop of 4.5 and 3.6 degrees respectively.
For March 21, the MET Centre Ranchi has issued an orange alert for the entire State. Parts of southern Jharkhand and the adjoining central regions are likely to receive hails, thunderstorm, lighting as well as gusty winds with a speed of approximately 50- 60 km per hour. The northern parts of the State may witness thunderstorm, lighting accompanied with strong winds od speed around 40- 50 km per hour.
The weathermen have also predicted widespread rainfall across the State for March 21 and March 22. Parts of southern, central and north eastern Jharkhand is predicted to experience thunderstorm and lighting as well as winds with a spped of around 40- 50 km per hour on March 22.
“The change in the weather is likely to continue till March 23 and the temperature is expected to be on the rise from March 24 onwards. There has been a drop in the maximum temperature at various parts of Jharkhand on Thursday and it is expected to further fall by Friday,” informed Director MET Centre, Ranchi Abhishek Anand.
The weathermen have also stated that the during the pre- monsoon period thunderstorms accompanied with strong and gusty winds can be quite severe and can uproot, trees, poles and walls, therefore, residents are advised to stay indoors, stand away from trees and electric poles,
