Ranchi, Oct 27 (PTI) Cyclone Arnab, which is expected to make landfall along the Andhra Pradesh coast on Wednesday, is likely to bring heavy rainfall to parts of Jharkhand over three days, prompting the state government to direct district administrations to remain vigilant, officials said.
The Ranchi and West Singhbhum district administrations on Tuesday ordered the closure of schools on October 28 and 29 in view of the cyclone.
“In all government, government-aided (including minority), and private schools operating within Ranchi district, academic activities for classes KG to 12 shall remain suspended on October 28 and 29,” the administration said in a statement.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a yellow alert (be updated) for heavy rainfall in Ranchi, Khunti, Simdega, Gumla, Lohardaga, Saraikela-Kharsawan, East Singhbhum and West Singhbhum for 24 hours from 8.30 am on October 28.
The intensity of rainfall is likely to increase thereafter, with an orange alert (be prepared) issued for Garhwa, Palamu, Latehar, Lohardaga, Gumla, Simdega and West Singhbhum for 24 hours till 8.30 am on October 30, according to an IMD bulletin.
A heavy rainfall alert has also been issued for Chatra, Koderma, Hazaribag, Ramgarh, Ranchi, Khunti, Saraikela-Kharsawan and East Singhbhum from 8.30 am on October 29 for 24 hours, it said.
The weather department has also warned of thunderstorms, lightning and gusty winds over the state for three days from Wednesday.
According to the latest bulletin of the IMD, the storm was about 140 km southeast of Kakinada in Andhra Pradesh and 170 km south of Visakhapatnam at 2.30 pm. It is moving at 18 kmph and likely to cross the coast between Bapatla and Visakhapatnam, close to Yanam, by Wednesday forenoon.
“The district administrations have been directed to remain vigilant and prepared to deal with adverse conditions,” Jharkhand disaster management minister Irfan Ansari said.
He said eight to nine districts are likely to be impacted by the cyclone.
The Ranchi district administration has asked its officials to be vigilant over the situation.
“Waterlogging is likely in low-lying areas and on roads in Ranchi due to heavy rainfall. Kutcha houses, shanties, and structurally weak buildings may sustain damage. Rivers, lakes and large drains could overflow. There is a possibility of flood-like conditions in low-lying areas,” the administration said in a statement.
It is also anticipated that standing crops in fields could be damaged due to the accumulation of water, it added.
Keeping the possibilities in mind, Ranchi Deputy Commissioner Manjunath Bhajantri has issued instructions to all officials concerned to keep a constant watch on the situation and ensure necessary preparations. PTI SAN BDC SAN MNB
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