UditVani, Jamshedpur: A spell of cooler weather coupled with rain and thunderstorms has set in across Jharkhand, with the India Meteorological Department forecasting gusty winds and lightning activity in the coming days.
The shift has brought much-needed relief from the recent heat, as temperatures dipped noticeably across several districts. Ranchi recorded a maximum temperature of 33.6°C, about 3.5 degrees below normal, while the minimum settled at 19.0°C.
Jamshedpur saw an even sharper drop, with the day temperature at 32.0°C—7.3 degrees below the seasonal average—accompanied by 19.2 mm rainfall in the past 24 hours. Daltonganj remained the hottest at 35.0°C, while Lohardaga recorded the lowest minimum at 18.5°C.
Rainfall activity was fairly widespread, with Manihari in West Singhbhum receiving the highest precipitation at 41.2 mm, followed by Seraikela and Godda.
Even Ranchi recorded light showers, while several pockets including Baharagora, Darisai and Khunti experienced intermittent rain. Morning visibility in Jamshedpur dropped to 800 metres due to prevailing weather conditions, while Automated Weather Station data showed moderate temperatures across districts such as Bokaro and Gumla.
The IMD has indicated that thunderstorms, lightning and gusty winds reaching speeds of 40–50 kmph are likely at isolated places across the state till May 5, with no major weather warning from May 6 onwards.
The prevailing atmospheric instability is expected to trigger brief spells of rain and strong winds in different regions.Residents welcomed the cooler conditions but remained wary of sudden storms. “The drop in temperature has brought relief, especially at night, but the sudden gusty winds are quite strong,” said Ramesh Kumar, a resident of Telco.
Another local, Sunita Devi, added, “Rain is good, but lightning and strong winds are a concern. We are being careful, especially during the evenings.” Authorities have advised people to stay alert during thunderstorms and avoid open areas during lightning activity as the unsettled weather continues over the next few days.
