The India Meteorological Department has issued a yellow alert for thunderstorms, lightning and gusty winds of 30-40 kmph across parts of Jharkhand from October 11 to 13, as pandal construction, lighting installation and other Durga Puja preparations gather pace across the state.
The Ranchi office of the IMD said thunderstorms, lightning and gusty winds are likely at isolated places in northeastern and southeastern Jharkhand on October 11. The alert comes as temporary festival structures and outdoor installations are being prepared ahead of Durga Puja, which begins later this week.
On October 12, the alert covers northwestern, central and southeastern parts of the state, including Hazaribag, Ramgarh, Lohardaga, Gumla, Ranchi and Khunti. Similar conditions are expected on October 13 in northwestern and central areas, including Hazaribag, Ramgarh, Lohardaga and Ranchi, according to the Met office.
The forecast places several major preparation areas under changing weather conditions during the final days before the festival. Pandal construction, electrical and lighting work, movement of materials and other outdoor activity are continuing in Ranchi and other districts listed in the alert. The IMD has forecast gusts of up to 40 kmph, in addition to thunderstorms and lightning.
The alert is classified as yellow, indicating that authorities and residents should remain aware of the expected weather conditions. The warning is particularly relevant to work taking place in exposed outdoor locations, where temporary structures, lighting arrangements and construction activity may be affected by thunderstorms or strong winds. The IMD statement, however, did not provide district-wise rainfall totals or specify any suspension of festival preparations.
IMD Ranchi head Baburaj PP said the southwest monsoon had started withdrawing from Jharkhand on October 3 this year, earlier than its usual withdrawal around October 5. The monsoon normally exits the state by October 10, he said.
According to Baburaj, the monsoon has already retreated from northwestern districts and parts of central Jharkhand, including Garhwa, Chatra, Palamu, Latehar and Lohardaga, as well as parts of Ranchi, Gumla, Hazaribag and Koderma. Prevailing meteorological conditions are favourable for further withdrawal from the remaining parts of the state over the next two to three days.
Despite the broader monsoon withdrawal, isolated rainfall has continued. Jhinkpani in West Singhbhum recorded the highest rainfall in the state, at 22 mm, during the 24 hours covered by the report. Ranchi recorded a maximum temperature of 27.8°C and a minimum of 19.1°C, the Met office said.
The IMD forecast remains in effect through October 13, covering the period when Durga Puja preparations are reaching completion. The weather office’s next updates will determine how conditions evolve across the listed districts as the festival approaches.
