Daijiworld Media Network - Ranchi
Ranchi, Sep 26: Incessant rain disrupted normal life across Jharkhand on Saturday, with low-lying areas inundated, vehicular movement affected and several rivers flowing above danger levels, officials said.
In several places, people were seen wading through knee-deep water, while vehicles were stranded on waterlogged roads. Several districts, including Ranchi and Jamshedpur, ordered the suspension of classes from kindergarten to Class 12 on Saturday in view of the weather conditions.
Officials said continuous rain since September 23 had led to flood-like conditions in several districts. However, some improvement is expected from Sunday as the weather system is likely to weaken.
In East Singhbhum district, the Subarnarekha river was flowing 2.02 metres above the danger level, while the Kharkai river was 4.50 metres above the danger mark. East Singhbhum Deputy Commissioner Rajiv Ranjan urged people to stay away from riverbanks and move to safer locations.
“The water level of the Subarnarekha and Kharkai rivers is above the danger mark. Citizens are urged not to go near the riverbanks, to take shelter in safe high places, and to follow the instructions of the district administration. Stay alert, stay safe!” Ranjan posted on X.
In Ranchi, the water level in Kanke Dam, also known as Gonda Dam, reached 27.05 feet against its capacity of 28 feet, an official said. Water levels have also risen significantly in the city’s Hatia and Getalsud dams.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) said the depression over north Chhattisgarh and adjoining northeast Madhya Pradesh had moved north-northwestwards and was likely to weaken gradually into a well-marked low-pressure area during the subsequent 12 hours.
Despite the widespread rainfall, Jharkhand’s overall rain deficit came down to 3 per cent on Friday. The state received 962.6 mm of rainfall between June 1 and September 25 against the normal 992 mm.
However, eight districts continued to record deficient rainfall, with Pakur reporting the highest shortfall at 51 per cent, followed by Chatra at 36 per cent and Sahibganj at 33 per cent.
The IMD considers a rainfall deviation of up to 19 per cent as normal. Meanwhile, eight districts recorded surplus rainfall, led by West Singhbhum with 47 per cent, Seraikela-Kharsawan with 21 per cent and Ranchi with 15 per cent.