Ranchi: Moderate to heavy rainfall has been affecting parts of Jharkhand since Tuesday, prompting the India Meteorological Department (IMD) to issue a series of color-coded alerts for several districts. The weather, influenced by a low-pressure system in the Bay of Bengal, is expected to continue for the next few days, posing a challenge to Durga Puja festivities.
The IMD has placed an ‘orange’ alert for East and West Singhbhum, Simdega, and Seraikela-Kharswan districts, signifying a need to be prepared for disruptive weather. A ‘yellow’ alert, indicating heavy rainfall, has also been issued for Ranchi, Bokaro, Gumla, Dhanbad, Lohardaga, Khunti, and Ramgarh districts until Wednesday morning. The alerts extend into the week, with heavy rain predicted for various districts through Friday.
According to Abhishek Anand, Deputy Director at the Ranchi Meteorological Centre, the state can expect light to moderate rainfall with spells of heavy rain in southern and central parts over the next three days. “Widespread rainfall is expected across Jharkhand on September 25,” he said. He added that while another fresh low-pressure system is expected around September 25, it is not anticipated to have a significant impact on Jharkhand.
The continuous downpour, however, is playing spoilsport for the upcoming Durga Puja festivities. Puja committees across the state are facing delays in their pandal preparations, with workers forced to work in the rain. “The rain not only slowed down the work, we are worried whether we would be able to complete the marquees by Shashti, which falls on Sunday,” said Amit Das, president of a Durga Puja committee in Ranchi.
Jharkhand has already experienced a surplus of rainfall this monsoon season. Between June 1 and September 23, the state recorded 18% more rainfall than normal, receiving 1,156.3 mm against the average of 977.3 mm. East Singhbhum and Ranchi have seen the highest surplus, while Pakur district has a 29% deficit.