The IMD has sounded a thunderstorm and lightning alert for every district of Jharkhand, from September 18 to September 20.
Light to moderate rain is expected statewide, and a few places may receive heavy showers.
Winds gusting to 40 kmph are likely, particularly across southern and central Jharkhand.
Maximum temperatures should remain around 30 to 31 degrees Celsius, with Ranchi’s minimum near 22 degrees Celsius.
People have been urged to stay clear of open fields, trees and electric poles while storms are active.
The rainy spell arrives as the southwest monsoon begins its gradual withdrawal phase across India, though active weather can persist in the east for days.
The plateau districts around Ranchi, Khunti, Gumla, Simdega and Lohardaga are likely to feel relatively pleasant because of cloud cover and rain.
Lightning is a leading cause of weather-related deaths in Jharkhand, which is why the meteorological office repeats safety advice during every thunderstorm alert.
The alert period runs from September 18 to September 20, 2026, and covers every one of Jharkhand’s 24 districts.
Districts named in the alert include Ranchi, Khunti, Gumla, Simdega, Lohardaga, Latehar, Palamu, Garhwa, Chatra, Hazaribagh, Koderma, Ramgarh and Bokaro.
Giridih, Dhanbad, Saraikela-Kharsawan, East Singhbhum, West Singhbhum, Deoghar, Dumka, Jamtara, Sahibganj, Pakur and Godda are also covered by the alert.
Wind gusts of 30 to 40 kmph are expected, particularly across southern and central Jharkhand, during thunderstorm activity.
Maximum temperatures are likely to stay around 30 to 31 degrees Celsius, while the minimum in Ranchi is expected near 22 degrees Celsius.
Light to moderate rainfall is forecast across the state, with heavy showers possible at several locations during the three-day period.
Residents are advised to avoid standing in open fields, under trees or near electric poles while thunderstorms and lightning are active.
Farmers and outdoor workers have been urged to take shelter in sturdy buildings when lightning is seen or thunder is heard.
Ranchi lake, Jharkhand (representative image), Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
