Ranchi: As Jharkhand gears up for Durga Puja, the Ranchi office of the India Meteorological Department (IMD) on Saturday issued a yellow alert for thunderstorms, lightning, and gusty winds of 30-40 kmph across the state between Oct 11 and 13.Thunderstorms, lightning, and gusty winds are expected at isolated places in northeastern and southeastern Jharkhand on Oct 11. The alert covers northwestern, central, and southeastern parts, including Hazaribag, Ramgarh, Lohardaga, Gumla, Ranchi, and Khunti the next day. Similar conditions are likely in northwestern and central areas, including Hazaribag, Ramgarh, Lohardaga, and Ranchi on Oct 13, the Met office stated.Meanwhile, weather conditions remain favourable for the southwest monsoon’s withdrawal from the state. IMD Ranchi head Baburaj PP said, “The monsoon, which normally begins retreating around Oct 5 and exits Jharkhand by Oct 10, started withdrawing on Oct 3 this year.”“It has retreated from northwestern districts and parts of central Jharkhand, including Garhwa, Chatra, Palamu, Latehar, Lohardaga and parts of Ranchi, Gumla, Hazaribag and Koderma. The prevailing meteorological conditions are favourable for further withdrawal from the remaining parts of Jharkhand over the next two to three days,” he said.Jhinkpani in West Singhbhum recorded the state’s highest rainfall at 22 mm in the past 24 hours. Ranchi recorded a maximum temperature of 27.8°C and a minimum of 19.1°C, the Met office said.The alert comes as pandal construction, lighting installation and other preparations gather pace ahead of the festival beginning later this week.
