IMD: Most parts of Jharkhand to see wet spell till Saturday

Ranchi: The southwest monsoon has maintained a steady run in Jharkhand in its first month this season, according to the rainfall data released by India Meteorological Department (IMD), Ranchi on Sunday. “Monsoon activity over Jharkhand is normal,” Abhishek Anand, a scientist at IMD, Ranchi, said.
Nearly a month after it set in over Jharkhand on June 14, the state has received near normal rain as compared to its average at this time of year. As on Friday, Jharkhand received 317mm rain, which is 1% less than its normal rainfall average of 321.6mm across 24 districts.
Around this time last year, Jharkhand had received 38% less rains. As many as 14 districts had rain deficits hovering between 21%-61% of its normal.
As per IMD’s statistics, seven districts — Deoghar, Gumla, Simdega, Khunti, Pakur, Sahibganj and Seraikela-Kharsawan — have rain deficits ranging from 25% to 50%. Gumla has received lowest rains in the first four weeks of monsoon, with the district’s deficit hovering around 50% as on Friday.
While seven districts are mostly deprived of a downpour, six districts have received excesses in rain. Palamu has received an excess of 105%, Latehar received 81% and Garhwa received 52% of excess rain. Hazaribag (15%), Ramgarh (13%), Godda (6%), Chatra (5%) and Bokaro (3%) have also received excess rains this year.
Ranchi currently has a deficit of 10% while East Singbhum has deficit of 5%.
Weathermen on Sunday predicted light to moderate showers in most parts of Jharkhand between July 13 and July 18. “Isolated places in northeastern and central Jharkhand are likely to receive heavy rains in between July 14 and July 16,” IMD, Ranchi said in its afternoon weather bulletin.