The very severe cyclonic storm ‘Arnab’, which is projected to make landfall on the Andhra Pradesh coast on Wednesday, is expected to trigger three days of heavy rainfall across Jharkhand, leading the state authorities to issue flood and high-wind advisories.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a ‘yellow’ alert for heavy rain across Ranchi, Khunti, Simdega, Gumla, Lohardaga, Saraikela-Kharsawan, and East and West Singhbhum for 24 hours starting 8:30 am on October 28. Rain intensity is expected to escalate thereafter, with an ‘orange’ alert sounded for seven districts: Garhwa, Palamu, Latehar, Lohardaga, Gumla, Simdega, and West Singhbhum till October 30 morning. In a post on X, IMD said the very severe cyclonic storm over the west-central Bay of Bengal had moved nearly west-northwestwards with a speed of 20 kmph during past 6 hours, and lay centered at 8:30am over the same region, 220 km south-southeast of Vishakhapatnam in AndhraPradesh.
IMD has warned of widespread thunderstorms, lightning, and gusty winds through Friday. In a statement, Ranchi deputy commissioner Manjunath Bhajantri instructed officials to maintain continuous vigil over low-lying areas vulnerable to urban flooding, waterlogging, and agricultural runoff. “Waterlogging is likely on city roads and low-lying sectors.
Standing crops could sustain damage, while temporary shanties and structurally weak buildings face risk from gusty winds,” the Ranchi district administration said in an advisory, urging residents in flood-prone zones to take precautions.
