Ranchi: At a time when most parts of the state have recorded deficient rainfall since the onset of monsoon on June 12, Ranchi is the only district with surplus rain, Met officials said on Wednesday.
Against a normal rainfall of 69.2 mm during the period from June 1 to 17, Ranchi district has received 86.4 mm, a surplus of 25%. However, districts like Sahibganj (97%), Pakur (61%), Godda (74%) and Deoghar (74%) have huge deficits during the period.
Officials attributed the widespread shortfall to disruption in the jet stream wind and the strengthening of El Niño conditions, while noting that Ranchi’s higher elevation helped bring more rain.
Jet Stream Disruption and El Niño Impact
“The sub-tropical easterly jet stream, a high-speed wind, is playing a disruptive role in the progress of monsoon. It is now located south of its normal position, stalling monsoon winds, creating atmospheric instability and a severe nationwide rainfall deficit, including in Jharkhand. El Niño conditions in the eastern Pacific Ocean are likely to intensify in the coming months. Overall, an El Niño effect is causing a weak monsoon in India and restricting the progress,” deputy director of Ranchi Met office, Abhishek Anand, said.
The similar weather pattern has affected most districts, reducing the momentum of monsoon winds and delaying more uniform precipitation.
Why Ranchi Received Normal Rainfall
“Largely, the deficit is attributed to jet stream disruption and strengthening of El Niño conditions. Ranchi, however, has got normal rainfall so far due to convergence of moisture and formation of thunderclouds because of its elevation — 650 m above mean sea level,” Anand said.
The rest of the districts in central and west Jharkhand are waiting for monsoon to commence, he added. The southwest monsoon arrived in Jharkhand June 12 and reached Ranchi three days later, but has not covered the entire district.
