Cyclone Arnab: Jharkhand districts told to prepare for heavy rain

Cyclone Arnab is expected to bring heavy rainfall to parts of Jharkhand for three days from October 28, prompting the state government to put district administrations on alert, officials said on Tuesday. The storm is forecast to reach the Andhra Pradesh coast on Wednesday.

The India Meteorological Department issued a yellow warning for eight Jharkhand districts for the 24 hours beginning at 8.30 am on October 28. These are Ranchi, Khunti, Simdega, Gumla, Lohardaga, Saraikela-Kharsawan, East Singhbhum and West Singhbhum.

Warnings for thunderstorms, lightning and strong gusts also cover three days from Wednesday. Officials have been instructed to watch conditions and prepare for disruption.

Rain warnings intensify from October 29

An orange warning applies to seven districts for the following 24-hour period ending at 8.30 am on October 30. Garhwa, Palamu, Latehar, Lohardaga, Gumla, Simdega and West Singhbhum are included.

Another heavy-rain warning runs for 24 hours from October 29 at 8.30 am. It includes Ranchi and Khunti, along with East Singhbhum, Saraikela-Kharsawan, Ramgarh, Hazaribag, Koderma and Chatra.

Ranchi Meteorological Centre deputy director Abhishek Anand said Cyclone Arnab was a very severe cyclonic storm over the west-central Bay of Bengal at 5.30 am on Tuesday. It was expected to continue moving west-northwestwards until Tuesday evening.

Ranchi’s administration warned that intense rainfall could leave roads and low-lying neighbourhoods waterlogged. It also identified possible damage to weak buildings, shanties and kutcha houses.

Rivers, lakes and major drains could overflow, creating flood-like conditions in vulnerable areas, the administration said. Water accumulating in fields could also harm standing crops.

Deputy commissioner Manjunath Bhajantri directed officials to monitor the situation continuously and ensure preparations were in place. The warnings describe anticipated risks from the approaching weather system.

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