IMD issues thunderstorm and lightning alert in isolated areas of Jharkhand

The Ranchi Meteorological Centre of the India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a forecast warning of thunderstorms and lightning in isolated areas of Jharkhand today.

Weather experts have attributed these weather conditions to an east-west trough passing through the region, which is likely to trigger the thunderstorms and lightning activity.

Yesterday, the same trough resulted in thunderstorms, lightning, and rainfall across various parts of Jharkhand. The local Meteorological Centre in Jamshedpur recorded over 20 mm of rain, leading to waterlogging in low-lying areas and affecting traffic movement. Several residential areas also experienced water entering their houses due to the heavy rainfall.

Rainfall statistics for the month of June indicate that Jamshedpur has received 67 mm of rain, while the capital city Ranchi witnessed 98 mm of rainfall. Chaibasa in the neighboring West Singhbhum district recorded 146 mm of rain, whereas Daltonganj and Bokaro received 72 mm and 85 mm of rainfall, respectively.

The state's rainfall deficit has decreased to 47 percent. So far, Jharkhand has received 96.5 mm of rain against the normal expectation of 181.4 mm.

The Northern Limit of Monsoon (NLM) is currently passing through various locations, including Bikaner, Narnaul, Firozpur, and Nagaland. The east-west trough is passing through northwest Rajasthan, east Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Jharkhand, Gangetic West Bengal, and further extending eastwards.