Cyclone Dana: Heavy showers to lash parts of State

Owing to the effect of cyclone Dana, heavy to very heavy showers are being predicted to lash parts of Jharkhand. The cyclone is expected to impact the sates of Odisha, West Bengal and Jharkhand.

As per the information shared by the MET Centre, Ranchi, the cyclone is very likely to move north- northwards and cross north Odisha and West Bengal coasts between Puri and Sagar Island as a Severe Cyclonic Storm between the night of October 24 and the morning of October 25. The storm is projected to make a landfall between Bhitarkanika National Park and Dhamra Port in Odisha early Friday. The wind speed is expected to reach 100 to 110 km per hour gusting to 120 km per hour.

The Meteorological Centre, Ranchi has issued an orange alert for Friday as heavy rains and strong winds are expected to affect Jharkhand’s southern and eastern districts including East Singhbhum, West Singhbhum and Saraikela- Kharsawan while NDRF teams have also been kept on standby for the regions.

On October 25, heavy to very heavy rains are predicted for the Kolhan region. “Apart from heavy rain, the region might also experience thunderstorm and gusty winds with speed of up to 60 km per hour,” said Director MET Centre, Ranchi Abhishek Anand.

A yellow alert stating heavy showers has been issued for central Jharkhand and the adjoining north eastern areas namely Simdega, Gumla, Lohardaga, Khunti, Ranchi, Bokaro, Ramgarh, Giridih , Deoghar, Dhanbad, and Jamtara for the same day.

Moving westwards, the system is likely to weaken October 26 onwards bringing heavy rain to some places in the southwestern parts including Simdega, West Singhbhum and Gumla. The remaining parts of the State can have a cloud cover while some places could receive light rain.

On October 26, the districts around central Jharkhand including the Capital City may face winds with a speed of 30 to 40 km per hour which could go up to 50 km per hour.

“The weather conditions are expected to improve from October 26 onwards and clear and dry weather is being predicted across the State from October 28,” added the official.

As the Meteorological Centre, Ranchi has predicted heavy rains accompanied with strong winds in many districts of the State schools in various districts have been closed for October 25. Nnadkishore Lal, Joint Secretary, School Education and Literacy Department has issued an order in this regard.

As a preventive measure, classes from KG to standard 12 in all categories of government, non- government aided, unaided including minority and all private schools operating in West Singhbhum, East Singhbhum, and Saraikela- Kharsawan districts under Kolhan Division will remain closed on October 25.