PINAKI MAJUMDAR
Jamshedpur, April 29: The Met Office has extended its heatwave forecast for another three days, revising predictions of an early respite because of dry and hot winds that are blowing across the plains of Jharkhand.
“Today’s analysis suggests that the heatwave condition is expected to continue till Monday,” said an official at Ranchi Met Centre.
Jamshedpur recorded the season’s highest maximum temperature of 44.6°C, five notches above normal on Thursday. Today too steel city recorded a similar day temperature.
Several places in Kolhan and Palamau regions experienced Loo, a dry and hot wind that blows in the plains, throughout the day.
The Ranchi Met Centre had predicted that a few isolated pockets could experience thunderstorms and light rain this evening. However, it was unlikely to bring relief.
For the last three days, several areas of Jharkhand have been in the grip of a heatwave that occurs when maximum temperatures surpass normal levels by four to five degrees for several days in succession.
On Thursday, Daltongang, the headquarters of the Palamau region, was boiling at 45.8°C, five notches above normal. Both Jamshedpur and Daltonganj also experienced several bouts of Loo.
For the second consecutive day capital Ranchi recorded a maximum temperature of around 41°C, four points above normal.
The maximum temperature continued to rise in Hazaribagh, Koderma, Bokaro, Giridih, Garhwa and other districts.
Meteorologists predict that maximum temperatures would be in the range of 42-43°C in most parts of the state on Saturday.
Districts in the north-western parts will continue to experience extreme heat for the next two days.
A duty officer at the regional meteorological centre at Alipore, Calcutta, said, “From satellite pictures and weather chart analysis, we find that the heatwave would continue in Jharkhand for another two to three days.”
He did not rule out the possibility of thunderstorms and light showers in isolated areas of central, southern and north-eastern Jharkhand after 72 hours.
EoM
