PINAKI MAJUMDAR
Jamshedpur, Sept 9: IMD’s Ranchi Meteorological Centre issued a forecast of light to moderate rain at a few places over Jharkhand on Friday.
Satellite pictures suggested patches of clouds over several districts. Last night lightning and thunder were reported from various places, especially in southern Jharkhand.
A duststorm alert was also issued for Ranchi and its adjoining places apart from one or two spells of rain.
Met data suggested that most places recorded two to three notches above normal in the past 24 hours.
The discomfort index which is calculated on the basis of wind, temperature and humidity was also six to seven notches above normal on Thursday. It is expected to remain the same today too.
Jamshedpur, Dhanbad Bokaro and several other places today woke up to bright sunshine.
Seasonal rain data suggested that the state so far recorded a 26 per cent rain deficit.
Against a normal of 866 mm, the state as a whole has so far this monsoon season recorded 642 mm resulting in a 26 per cent deficit.
IMD’s long-term forecast suggested heavy rain especially in southern Jharkhand around Sunday and Monday due to the impact of low pressure over the Bay of Bengal.