Low pressure systems result in 22% excess rain in Jharkhand

Ranchi: After its timely onset, the south-west monsoon has begun its stint in Jharkhand on an encouraging note this year with 15 of the state’s 24 districts receiving excess rainfall in the first 10 days.
Rainfall data collected by the Ranchi office of the India Meteorological Department (IMD) state that three districts have received 100% more rain than their normal average at this time of the year.
Palamu, which comes under rain shadow area and prone to droughts, has received 213.3 mm rain till Tuesday evening, which is 199% more than its normal average of 71.3 mm. Likewise, the adjoining Garhwa district, also a drought-prone area, has received 189 mm rain, which is 123% higher. Latehar, which has received the highest rain in Jharkhand so far (245.2 mm), has recorded an excess of 116%.
Ranchi, which received 180 mm rain, has recorded an excess of 35% while Bokaro recorded 56% surplus. East Singhbhum district recorded an excess of 10% while Hazaribag stood at a surplus of 34%.
While Palamu, Garhwa and Latehar have received highest rains yet, Deoghar has remained parched. As on Tuesday afternoon, the district recorded 31 mm rain, which is 77% less than its normal of 132.3 mm.
Rainfall deficit in Pakur stood at 49% while Gumla recorded rains 43% less than its normal. Rain deficit in Dumka currently stood at 16%.
Overall, Jharkhand received around 157 mm rain, which is 22% more than its normal. “The start has been very good. We are hopeful that the rainfall distribution remains steady in subsequent weeks,” IMD Ranchi director S D Kotal told TOI.
Kotal said the excess rain occurred due to two low pressure systems which formed back to back during and after the monsoon’s onset on June 14. “The second system, which formed over the state, was stationary over north-western Jharkhand for 48 hours, thus bringing in heavy rain in those parts,” he added.
IMD Ranchi said rainy spells will gather momentum from June 26 onwards after a brief lull of 48 hours.