Jamshedpur/Ranchi, June 21: A truant monsoon has transformed the state into one big baking oven and prompted worried weathermen to issue a heat wave alert.

Patna Meteorological Office director Animesh Chanda today said a moderate to severe heat wave condition would make Jharkhand sweat harder in the next 24 hours.

“There is no indication of arrival of monsoon in the next three days. The maximum temperature will continue to rise because the dry westerly winds are dominant,” he said.

The heat wave warning has been particularly issued for Daltonganj, Gumla, Koderma, Ranchi, Hazaribagh and the Singhbhum-Kolhan region. Most of these places recorded a maximum temperature seven-nine degrees above normal today.

While Daltonganj sweltered at 45°C (nine degrees above normal), Jamshedpur panted for breath as the mercury scaled eight notch above normal and stood at 43.8°C. Ranchi, too, recorded a maximum temperature of 40.5°C (seven degrees above normal).

According to Met records, during June last year, the maximum temperature varied between a cooler 25°C and 35°C.

“But this time, the absence of rain has led to an abrupt rise in temperatures. Satellite pictures suggest that Jharkhand is in the grip of north-westerly winds, which catapult day temperatures and prevent moisture incursion into the atmosphere. The prevailing weather condition is resulting in more solar radiation, which in turn is raising the temperature,” explained G.C. Debnath, the director of the Regional Meteorological Centre at Alipore, Calcutta.

The delay in monsoon coupled with rising temperature has become an issue of concern for weathermen. Experts believe that if rainfall in July does not make up for the deficit, Jharkhand might face a drought-like situation.

“Last year, the state had received over 350mm of rainfall after the arrival of monsoon on June 8. This time, the deficit is about 40 per cent,” said a senior weather analyst at the Patna Met Office.

The cruel sun, meanwhile, forced residents of both the capital and the steel city to remain indoors. Streets in Dhanbad, which saw a day’s high of 43.4°C, too, wore a deserted look.

G.K. Mohanty, the director of Ranchi Met Office said dry, hot winds sweeping across the state were affecting normal life like never before. “A few days ago, the capital experienced pleasant weather due to local cloud formation, which dragged down temperatures, but the absence of rain is foretelling harder times for capital residents,” he said, adding that the condition was unlikely to change before middle of next week.

Mohanty said that the south-west monsoon was advancing over Maharashtra, Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh, and in the next two-three would reach Mumbai. “But that does not mean we will be benefited. Dry winds, no local cloud formation and gradual decrease in humidity level are upping the discomfort index,” he said.

The heat wave alert has prompted doctors and health officials to issue guidelines for residents of Ranchi, Jamshedpur and elsewhere.

Arun Kumar, senior medical officer of Mahatma Gandhi Memorial College and Hospital, advised everyone to drink at least five-six litres of water everyday to beat the heat. Experts have also issued warnings against spicy and roadside food. “Instead, eat juicy fruits and settle for a light lunch. Do not go out on an empty stomach because that increases the chances of a stroke,” said Kumar.

Heat gear are a must this month. “Do not forget your umbrellas, shades and helmets. A wet piece of cloth wrapped around the face will protect you from the blazing sun if you are on a two-wheeler,” said a senior health department official.

Kumar urged residents of the steel city not to venture out between 12 noon and 4pm. “It is like a curfew. Look out of the window and you don’t see a single soul outside. The heat is tormenting. I am skipping college if the situation continues,” said a teenaged student.