Jharkhand Stares at Acute Rainfall Deficit of 61 % as Monsoon Progress Remains Sluggish

Jamshedpur: Even as weather conditions turn increasingly favourable for the advance of the southwest monsoon, Jharkhand continues to reel under a sharp rainfall deficit, raising concerns over agriculture and water availability in several districts.

According to the latest data released by the India Meteorological Department (IMD), the state received only 59 mm of rainfall against the normal 149.8 mm between June 1 and June 26, leaving Jharkhand with an overall 61 per cent rainfall deficit.

The rainfall distribution paints a grim picture across the state. Garhwa and Sahibganj have recorded the highest deficit of 98 per cent, followed by Chatra (94 per cent), Palamu (86 per cent), Seraikela-Kharsawan (82 per cent), Lohardaga (80 per cent), Koderma (79 per cent), Godda (74 per cent) and East Singhbhum (67 per cent). Ranchi has also slipped into the deficient category with a 21 per cent shortfall.

"The synoptic conditions are becoming increasingly favourable for the further advance of the southwest monsoon into the remaining parts of Jharkhand during the next three to four days," the IMD said in its latest weather bulletin.

Meteorologists said the seasonal trough at mean sea level currently extends from Rajasthan to Odisha through north Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh. Another trough stretching from east Uttar Pradesh to Telangana across east Madhya Pradesh, Vidarbha and Chhattisgarh is expected to aid moisture incursion into eastern India, paving the way for wider monsoon coverage.

During the past 24 hours, light to moderate rain accompanied by thunderstorms was reported at isolated places across the state. Pakuria in Pakur district recorded the highest rainfall of 27.8 mm, while Daltonganj remained the hottest place with a maximum temperature of 40.8°C. The lowest minimum temperature of 23.3°C was recorded at Latehar.

The weather office has indicated that rainfall activity is likely to increase over Jharkhand in the coming days as the southwest monsoon gathers momentum across eastern India.

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