Ranchi: The India Meteorological Department (IMD) on Monday issued orange and yellow alerts for several parts of Jharkhand, warning of very heavy rain, thunderstorm, lightning and gusty winds over the next few days under the influence of a low-pressure area over north coastal Odisha, adjoining Gangetic West Bengal and Jharkhand.According to the Ranchi Meteorological Centre, an orange alert for very heavy rainfall of 64.5 mm to 204.4 mm has been issued for Monday-Tuesday for isolated places in Simdega, West Singhbhum, Gumla, Khunti, Lohardaga and parts of Latehar.A yellow alert for heavy rain has been sounded for East Singhbhum, Seraikela-Kharsawan, Ranchi, Ramgarh, Bokaro, Dhanbad, Hazaribag, Koderma, Garhwa, Palamu, Chatra and Giridih districts.The IMD has also warned of thunderstorm accompanied by lightning and gusty winds of 30-40 kmph at isolated places across the state, advising residents to remain cautious, particularly in vulnerable areas.Ranchi Met Centre director Baburaj PP said the weather activity is linked to a low-pressure area that formed over north coastal Odisha, adjoining Gangetic West Bengal, northwest Bay of Bengal and Jharkhand.“The associated cyclonic circulation extends up to 7.6 km above mean sea level and is likely to move north-westwards across Gangetic West Bengal and adjoining north Odisha and Jharkhand during the next 24 hours,” he said.The department has forecast continued thunderstorm activity across the state from Tuesday to Thursday, with heavy rainfall likely over Simdega, Saraikela-Kharsawan, West Singhbhum, Gumla and Khunti, besides parts of north-western Jharkhand.Meanwhile, light to moderate rain accompanied by thunderstorm was recorded at most places in the state during the past 24 hours. Kumardungi in West Singhbhum received the highest rainfall at 97 mm. Gumla recorded the highest maximum temperature at 35.4°C, while Latehar registered the lowest minimum temperature at 20.9°C.
