Ranchi, Jun 18 (PTI) The southwest monsoon covered entire Jharkhand on Wednesday, bringing widespread rainfall that is likely to continue across the state till June 20, an official said.
Monsoon had arrived in the state on Tuesday, covering 18 out of 24 districts.
“It advanced into the remaining districts such as Latehar, Hazaribag, Koderma, Garhwa, Palamu and Chatra on Wednesday,” Deputy Director of Ranchi Meteorological Centre, Abhishek Anand, told PTI.
Jharkhand had witnessed 52-per cent rainfall deficiency till June 17 from June 1. It, however, registered seven-per cent surplus rainfall till June 18 from June 1 after fresh downpour in the past 24 hours, the official said.
The state has received 80.4-mm rainfall against the normal of 74.9-mm from June 1 to June 18, with Latehar district recording the highest downpour.
Gahrwa district witnessed 61-per cent rain deficit, followed by Ramgarh (45-per cent deficiency), he said.
Jharkhand has been receiving heavy rain since Tuesday, with the IMD forecasting more showers till June 20.
Kuru in Lohardaga district received the highest of 144-mm rainfall in the 24 hours till 8.30 am, Anand said. Ranchi recorded 128-mm rainfall during the period, while Kuchai in Saraikela-Kharswan registered 124.2-mm rainfall, he said.
A ‘red’ alert (heavy to extremely heavy rainfall) has been issued for several districts, including Bokaro, Dhanbad, Ramgarh, Ranchi, Khunti, Saraikela-Kharswan, East and West Singhbhum for Wednesday, while the same has been sounded for Ranchi, Khunti, Lohardaga, Gumla and Simdega for Thursday.
The Ranchi district administration has urged people to stay away from low-lying areas, avoid non-essential travel and exercise caution on waterlogged roads.
“Widespread rainfall is expected across the state till June 20, with spells of heavy to extremely heavy rain in some parts,” Anand added. PTI SAN SOM SAN RBT
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