At least 10 people were killed in separate lightning strikes across Jharkhand between Wednesday night and Thursday evening as the southwest monsoon turned active once again over the state. The latest fatalities have pushed the lightning death toll in the past 10 days to over 20, underscoring the growing threat posed by severe weather.
Among the victims were two persons from Palamu, one from Lohardaga, one from Koderma, three from Chatra and three from Jamtara. The fatalities came as the monsoon regained strength over Jharkhand, bringing rain and thunderstorms to several parts of the state.
However, weather conditions remain sharply divided, with parts of Palamu, Garhwa and Chatra continuing to experience heatwave conditions despite increasing rainfall elsewhere.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a yellow alert for the state until July 1, warning of rain, thunderstorms, lightning and gusty winds of 40-50 kmph across various districts.
On Friday, thunderstorms accompanied by lightning and strong winds are likely in parts of Palamu, Garhwa, Chatra and Latehar. At the same time, isolated pockets of Garhwa, Palamu and Chatra may continue to witness heatwave conditions.
Meteorologists attributed the changing weather pattern to an upper-air cyclonic circulation over the Bay of Bengal and the monsoon trough extending from Rajasthan to West Bengal, which has increased moisture over Jharkhand.
The weather office expects the monsoon to strengthen further over the next two to three days, with widespread rainfall likely from the last week of June through the first week of July.
Despite the revival of monsoon activity, Jharkhand continues to face a significant rainfall deficit. Against the normal cumulative rainfall of 139.9 mm up to June 24, the state has received only 58.4 mm, leaving it with a 58% shortfall. While Ranchi has recorded 125.7 mm of rainfall between June 1 and June 25 — close to normal — most other districts remain severely rain-deficient.
Also read: Seven killed, several injured in tragic road accident in J'khand
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