J’khand sizzles at 40 °C, respite likely from today
RANCHI: With the state sizzling between 40 and 45 degree Celsius for the past three days, the weather department issued a heatwave alert for three districts of Garhwa, Palamu and Chatra, where the maximum temperature crossed the 45 degree mark.
However, the weather department on Wednesday expects respite from the scorching heat from Thursday.
Amid the heatwave, frequent load shedding increased people’s troubles with many districts, including Ranchi, facing intermittent power cuts for the past one week.
Water level has also declined in dams of Ranchi due to the blistering heat.
Ranchi’s Hatia dam, which supplies around eight million gallons of water to domestic connections and plants every day, recorded only a 7.2ft water level on Wednesday.
The dam authorities has already imposed a two-day rationing in water supply in a week.
Ranchi has also been facing intermittent power cuts since Sunday and recorded a temperature of 39.8 degree Celsius on
Wednesday.
“While the weather condition is unbearable, frequent power cuts give us sleepless nights. We experienced load shedding every two hours,” said Amit Mahto, a resident of Kokar.
Palamu continued to remain Jharkhand’s hottest district with 43.8 degree Celsius on
Wednesday, while Jamshedpur recorded a maximum temperature of 42 degree Celsius on Wednesday.
Ranchi Meteorological Centre director, SD Kotal, said, “Heatwave condition is prevailing in Jharkhand’s northwest districts such as Chatra, Palamu, Garhwa and Latehar for the past three days.”
“Hot weather condition is also prevalent in many parts of the state, including Ranchi,” he said.
Kotal said the temperature rose up to 45 degrees in northern districts, while it reached 40 degrees in central parts of the state.
Similarly, the maximum temperature was recorded at 41 degree Celsius in southern parts of Jharkhand, including East Singhbhum.
A change in weather is expected from Thursday. “Jharkhand was experiencing westerly winds but now winds from South Bay of Bengal are coming. So, we expect that many districts in Jharkhand will witness cloudy weather from Thursday and thunderstorm is also expected in five days.”
Kotal said the maximum temperature might also fall by three to four degrees in the next seven days.