Patna, June 20: Heavy rain continued to lash the state capital for the third day today even as the weathermen claimed the amount of rainfall is likely to decrease after two to three days.
Animesh Chanda, the director of Patna Met department, said: “The amount of rainfall may decrease in and around Patna after 48 hours, as the current depression may weaken and move in the north-west direction from its current position at Chhattisgarh.” He, however, added that the decline would be temporary till another favourable condition is formed in the region. Monday started as a normal day for many, as students of many private schools attended first classes post-summer vacation without any hassle. Officegoers were also able to reach work without getting drenched.
Though sun peeked out from the cloud covers in the morning, fresh shower spells soaked the state capital in the afternoon.
“It was around 2pm that I went out with my colleagues and the rain caught us unawares. We were completely drenched but to our surprise, the rain stopped by the time we came back to office,” said Manish Kumar, an employee of a private firm.
Chanda said Patna is expected to receive moderate to heavy rainfall, in the range of 30-40mm in the next 48 hours, while heavy rainfall is on the forecast at many places throughout the state in the next 24 hours.
He termed the ongoing trend of this year’s monsoon as “vigorous”. The state has received 96.6mm “actual average rainfall” from June 1 to June 19, which is 12 per cent more than the expected “normal average rainfall” of 86.5mm in this period. Patna on the other hand, received 114.6mm “actual average rainfall” in the same period, which is 88 per cent more than the “normal average rainfall” of 60.8mm.
“The depression around 175km south-east of Daltonganj yesterday has now shifted near Ambikapur in Chhattisgarh,” said Chanda.
Residents, however, continue to be suffer because of waterlogging in New Market, Dakbungalow Road, Patel Nagar, Kankerbagh and several other areas of the state capital.
“We have directed Patna Municipal Corporation (PMC) to clean the drains and canals to provide a clear passage to the rainwater. Some waterlogging is inevitable during monsoon but we have asked the PMC commissioner to solve the problem in the affected areas as early as possible,” Prem Kumar, the urban development department minister, said.
