Brace for sultry days, evenings likely to be cooler: IMD

Ranchi: Various parts of the state are expected to witness extreme discomfort, especially during the first half of the day for the next four to five days, as temperatures are likely to soar, the IMD said on Tuesday.

However, many places are expected to turn comparatively cooler in the evenings with the possibility of lightning, thunderstorms and gusty winds at isolated places across the state.

According to Abhishek Anand, scientist and deputy director of the Ranchi Met office, weather conditions are expected to vary across regions.

People in almost all districts in the eastern part of the state, mostly bordering West Bengal, such as Sahibganj, Pakur, Dumka, Jamtara, Dhanbad, Ranchi, Seraikela-Kharsawan and East Singhbhum, will witness extreme discomfort due to high humidity, Anand said.

On the other hand, districts in the northwestern part of the state, such as Palamu, Garhwa, Chatra and Latehar, may witness “near heatwave-like conditions” with soaring temperatures and dry weather with no humidity, the Met official said.

“In both conditions, people need to take proper care of themselves,” he said, adding that people should stay hydrated.

Meanwhile, the Met office has issued warnings from Wednesday till the beginning of next week for lightning, thunderstorms and gusty winds at isolated places, which are likely to bring temperatures down in different areas after 4 pm.

For Wednesday, it forecast thunderstorm/lightning and gusty wind of 50-60 kmph under an orange warning at isolated places over northeastern and adjoining central parts of the state, including Bokaro and Dhanbad. Thunderstorm/lightning and gusty wind of 40-50 kmph under a yellow warning are likely at isolated places over the central and southern parts of the state. Similar warnings have been issued for the rest of the week.

With thunderstorms, lightning, gusty winds and a little rainfall at isolated places across the state, including Ranchi, night temperatures are likely to dip, Anand said.

During the past 24 hours till Tuesday morning, the state received light to moderate rainfall with thunderstorms at isolated places. The highest rainfall of 50.3 mm was recorded at Thetaitanger in Simdega.

The highest maximum temperature of 43.4 degrees Celsius was recorded at Daltonganj, while the lowest minimum temperature of 19.3 degrees Celsius was recorded at Jagannathpur in West Singhbhum.

Ranchi recorded a maximum of 36.2 degrees Celsius and a minimum of 25.2 degrees Celsius.