PINAKI MAJUMDAR
Jamshedpur, Aug1: July, the second monsoon month ended with a 49 per cent rain deficit in Jharkhand.
Rainfall statistics available from IMD,’s Ranchi Meteorological Centre suggested that against a normal of 508.2 mm, the state at the end of July had received actual rainfall of 258.7 mm, a deficit of 49 per cent.
For the first time in recent few years, all the 24 districts figured in the rain losers list at the end of July, considered the peak monsoon month.
Capital Ranchi was facing a rainfall deficit of 42 per cent while Jamshedpur faced a rain deficit of around 25 per cent.
The maximum rain deficit of 74 per cent was experienced by the Sahibganj district while East Singhbhum recorded the lowest deficit of 15 per cent
Several districts including Chatra, Deoghar, Garhwa, Godda, Jamtara, Pakur and Palamu were facing extreme deficits ranging between 60 and 80 per cent.
Rain deficit between 60 and 99 per cent is considered as scanty. The threat of a possible drought looms large in all such districts which were experiencing scanty rainfall.
According to rain statistics, Ranchi recorded 50.8 mm on July 30, the highest of the month while Jamshedpur recorded 49.6 mm on July 3, the highest rainfall in July and Daltonganj, the Palamu headquarters recorded 40.6 mm on July 31.
The hope is not lost as weathermen were expecting a good shower show across various districts in August, the third monsoon month
IMD’s Ranchi Meteorological Centre also issued a warning of heavy rain in isolated pockets of northern and central Jharkhand for two days – Monday and Tuesday.
In some places, the rain will be accompanied by lightning and thunder.
