UditVani, Jamshedpur: Jharkhand is set to witness another intense spell of pre-monsoon weather, with the India Meteorological Department (IMD) issuing a five-day alert for thunderstorms, lightning, and gusty winds across large parts of the state from May 12 to May 16.
According to the latest forecast, several districts—including Ranchi, Ramgarh, Bokaro, Dhanbad, Gumla, Khunti, Dumka, Deoghar, and Jamtara—are likely to experience thunderstorms accompanied by strong winds reaching 50 to 60 kmph.
Other districts such as Hazaribagh, Giridih, Koderma, Godda, Pakur, Sahebganj, and Lohardaga may witness winds of 40 to 50 kmph, along with lightning and scattered rainfall.
The warning comes after significant rainfall activity across Jharkhand over the past week.
Tenughat in Bokaro recorded the highest rainfall at 82.2 mm in the last 24-hours observation period, while several districts reported light to moderate showers, helping temperatures dip below seasonal averages.
“This sudden change in weather is a relief after weeks of intense heat, but the frequent thunder and strong winds are equally worrying,” said Ranchi resident Amit Kumar, who described the evenings as “unpredictable, with dark clouds gathering within minutes and heavy winds disrupting normal life.”
Meteorologists attribute the unstable weather to a persistent upper air cyclonic circulation over Sub-Himalayan West Bengal and adjoining regions, coupled with a trough stretching from southeast Rajasthan to Gangetic West Bengal through Jharkhand.
Another trough in the middle and upper atmospheric levels extending from northeast Bihar to coastal Andhra Pradesh is further intensifying moisture and atmospheric instability over eastern India.
On May 15, almost the entire state—except parts of north-western Jharkhand—is expected to remain under the influence of stormy weather, while north-eastern and adjoining central districts may continue to receive thunderstorms and gusty winds on May 16.
Met officials have urged residents to remain alert, avoid open fields during thunderstorms, stay away from trees and electric poles, and monitor official weather advisories as Jharkhand braces for another turbulent weather phase.
