Monsoon Watch: At end of August rainfall still short by 28 pc

Ranchi: Despite a minor improvement in Rainfall during the month of August the overall average rainfall in Jharkhand during the Monsoon season is yet short by 28 percent.

According to the data of the weather department compared to July things improved a bit and rains which were short by 50 percent subsequently came down to 33 percent and now is at 28 percent. In the same period last year at August end rains were short in the state by 25 percent.

The data of the MET department pointed that against an average rainfall of 829 percent till August end only 593.6 mm rainfall has taken place. If combined together the months of June July and August which make the Monsoon Season the rain fall is short by 28 percent.

Director of Ranchi MET SD Kotal said this season Godda has seen a maximum deficit of 64 percent which in 14 other districts comprising Ranchi Dhanbad Bokaro and Hazaribagh the rains were short on an average between 20 to 59 percent while 9 other districts including East Singhbhum Dumka Jamtara and Koderma have received normal rainfall.

The weather department said that South West Monsoon in Jharkhand has weakened in the last 24 hours. However, on Sunday night and Monday Ranchi, Ramgarh and some other districts witnessed rainfall which was also accompanied by lightning. The department has predicted lightning and thundershowers in South Eastern and Middle area of the state.

As per the weather department the Monsoon turfline was prevalent in North Western area of Bay of Bengal to Western Middle area and coastal areas of Odisha and in next 24 hours it was expected that a low-pressure area may develop in North Western and Western Areas.