Heavy Rain Disrupts Jharkhand Life As Rivers Swell, Low-Lying Areas Go Under Water

Incessant rain continued to disrupt normal life across Jharkhand on Saturday, inundating low-lying areas, slowing traffic and pushing several rivers above danger levels, officials said.

Heavy showers since September 23 have triggered flood-like conditions in several districts, with people seen wading through knee-deep water and vehicles getting stranded on waterlogged roads. Authorities in several districts, including Ranchi and Jamshedpur, suspended classes from kindergarten to Class 12 as a precaution.

The situation was particularly concerning in East Singhbhum, where the Subernarekha river was flowing 2.02 metres above its danger level, while the Kharkai river was 4.50 metres above the danger mark.

East Singhbhum Deputy Commissioner Rajiv Ranjan urged residents to stay away from riverbanks and move to safer, elevated areas. Authorities have asked people to remain alert and follow official advisories as water levels continue to remain high.

In Ranchi, the water level in Kanke Dam, also known as Gonda Dam, reached 27.05 feet, against its capacity of 28 feet. Water levels also rose significantly in the Hatia and Getalsud reservoirs, officials said.

The India Meteorological Department said the weather could improve from Sunday as the depression over north Chhattisgarh and adjoining northeast Madhya Pradesh is expected to weaken gradually into a well-marked low-pressure area.

Despite the recent downpour, Jharkhand's seasonal rainfall deficit has narrowed considerably. The state received 962.6 mm of rain between June 1 and September 25, against the normal 992 mm, leaving a deficit of just 3 per cent.

However, rainfall remains uneven. Pakur has the highest deficit at 51 per cent, followed by Chatra at 36 per cent and Sahibganj at 33 per cent. In contrast, West Singhbhum has recorded a 47 per cent surplus, while Seraikela-Kharsawan and Ranchi have registered surpluses of 21 per cent and 15 per cent, respectively.

The IMD considers a rainfall deviation of up to 19 per cent as within the normal range.