Orange alert of thunderstorm and hailstorm in Jharkhand, bad weather in many districts including Ranchi, routes of planes changed

News India Live, Digital Desk: The weather in Jharkhand has taken a dreadful turn amidst the scorching heat. Strong storm, torrential rain and hailstorm have disrupted life in more than a dozen districts of the state, including the capital Ranchi. The Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued an ‘Orange Alert’ in view of the seriousness of the situation. On Monday, visibility became extremely low due to a dust storm that blew at a speed of 70 km per hour in Ranchi, due to which two flights coming from Chennai and Hyderabad had to be diverted to Kolkata.

Dark clouds darkened the day, shower of hail According to the Meteorological Centre, Ranchi, the weather of Jharkhand has changed suddenly due to the cyclonic circulation formed in West Bengal and surrounding areas. On Monday afternoon, the sky in Ranchi, Ramgarh, Hazaribagh, Lohardaga and Khunti was covered with dark clouds and soon it started raining with loud thunder. There were also reports of large hailstones falling in many areas, due to which people walking on the roads were seen running in search of safe shelters. Due to this change in the weather, a drop of 2 to 4 degrees Celsius has been recorded in the temperature.

Danger of lightning and storm in these districts The Meteorological Department has warned of heavy rain and lightning in the districts of Ranchi, Chatra, Hazaribagh, Khunti, Latehar, Lohardaga, Ramgarh and Singhbhum divisions for the next 24 hours. Scientists estimate that this trend may continue intermittently till April 2. The highest rainfall of 64 mm has been recorded in Rajmahal of Santal Pargana. The administration has advised farmers to protect crops from hailstorm and advised the general public not to stay in open fields or under trees during inclement weather.

Double blow of communal violence and weather This time remains challenging for Jharkhand. On one hand, nature is wreaking havoc, while on the other hand, there have been reports of communal tension and violence in some parts of the state during Ram Navami. Heavy police force has been deployed in Hazaribagh and some other districts. Bad weather and storms have also hampered relief operations and security arrangements. The maximum temperature of Ranchi has fallen to 32.2 degrees, which has brought relief from the heat for the time being, but the storm and rain have created problems for security and infrastructure.