Hope at hand, finally

Ranchi, April 3: Residents of the state are seeking relief from the heat by consuming seasonal fruits and cold juices with temperatures hovering around 34°C.

But over the next five days, they may get some respite from the sweltering heat, predict weather scientists.

According to the Ranchi Meteorological Centre, the maximum temperature recorded in the city from March 30-April 2 was 32.8-34.7 degrees Celsius. In Jamshedpur, the temperature was between 37-39 degrees Celsius, which is likely to increase from today 35.5°C and will continue for the next five days, followed by pre-monsoon showers. Dhanbad’s weather records were not available.

Director of Ranchi Met centre G.K. Mohanty said that for the next five days the temperature would fluctuate between 35-37 degrees Celsius and the minimum temperature would be between 19-21 degrees Celsius.

“Partly cloudy skies would bring some relief for residents,” he said.

Compared to Ranchi and Jamshedpur, the temperature in Dhanbad was higher by 1°C.

“In Jharkhand, the mercury soared higher in Dhanbad, while the temperature in Jamshedpur was more or less like Ranchi,” claimed the head of meteorological department of Birsa Agriculture University (BAU), A. Wadood.

The slight variations in temperature may be attributed to the advent of warm air which blows from north and Central India, pointed out Mohanty, adding that it was less cloudy and humid.

Echoing Mohanty, Wadood pointed out that if this temperature prevailed for the next five days, rains might further bring down the mercury levels.

Wadood said that this process should have started in March but that didn’t happen.

“In April, the rainfall expected was 30mm while in May the rainfall should be 50-60mm. In March, the rainfall was expected to be 24mm but for some reason that didn’t happen. Hopefully, that would be made up in April,” he pointed out.

This weather cycle would fluctuate frequently, he said, bringing hot and cold spells.

He added that during summers, the temperature rises to 41-43°C while the normal temperature is 36-37°C.

“The maximum temperature does not last for long and is confined to two or three days,” Wadood said, adding that the prevailing condition is good for summer fruits like mangoes and litchis.

“There is only the danger of not getting good mangoes. For, hailstorms in the pre-monsoon season may affect the proper ripening of this fruit. The months of April and May are vulnerable to high-speed winds and hailstorms,” he warned.