Ranchi: The Met office has issued an orange alert for 20 districts, warning of isolated moderate thunderstorms, lightning and gusty winds of 30-40 kmph. A yellow alert is in place for the remaining four districts till Thursday.The orange alert covers Garhwa, Chatra, Palamu, Latehar, Sahibganj, Pakur, Godda, Dumka, Deoghar, Jamtara, Giridih, Hazaribag, Koderma, Ramgarh, Bokaro, Dhanbad, Ranchi, Lohardaga, Gumla and Khunti. Simdega, West Singhbhum, Seraikela-Kharsawan and East Singhbhum remain under a yellow alert.For Thursday and Friday, the Ranchi weather office has issued an orange warning for 18 districts. These are Hazaribag, Koderma, Ramgarh, Bokaro, Dhanbad, Giridih, Ranchi, Lohardaga, Gumla, Khunti, East Singhbhum, West Singhbhum, Seraikela-Kharsawan, Simdega, Garhwa, Chatra, Palamu and Latehar. Deoghar, Jamtara, Dumka, Pakur, Godda and Sahibganj have been placed under a yellow warning.“The conditions are favourable for thunder activity. As temperatures rise during the first half of the day and moisture remains available, thunderstorms are likely to form, mainly from the second half of the day till late evening,” said Abhishek Anand, deputy director of Ranchi Met office.Anand advised residents, particularly farmers, to take precautions.IMD said heavy rain was recorded at one location, while isolated parts of the state received light to moderate rain with thunderstorms in the 24 hours till Wednesday morning.Jama in Dumka recorded the highest rainfall of 65 mm. Baharagora recorded the highest temperature of 37 degrees Celsius, while Netarhat registered the lowest of 20.1°C. Ranchi received 18 mm of rain, with a maximum temperature of 31.1°C and a minimum of 22.8°C.
