Ranchi: The southwest monsoon made its much-awaited entry into Jharkhand on Friday, though weather experts said rainfall will be below normal during the first month of the season compared to last year.
The Ranchi office of the India Meteorological Department (IMD) on Friday confirmed that the monsoon has reached northeastern districts, including Jamtara, Deoghar, Dumka, Godda, Pakur, and Sahibganj, as well as some parts of Dhanbad, Giridih, and East Singhbhum. "In the next two to three days, the monsoon is likely to cover most parts of the state," said Baburaj P P, director of the Ranchi IMD office.
From 2020 to 2024, Jharkhand received deficient rainfall during the monsoon season (June to September) in two years — 2022 and 2023. In 2025, the state experienced excess rainfall during the monsoon.
"According to the forecast, the state is likely to record deficient rainfall in June. However, the situation might improve in July, August, and September. The progress of the monsoon in neighboring states along with Jharkhand will determine the situation. The usual rain-deficient regions of the state — Garhwa, Palamu, and Chatra — are also expected to receive normal rainfall this year," said Abhishek Anand, deputy director of Ranchi IMD.
Monsoon usually enters Jharkhand on June 12 and covers most of the state by June 15. Last year, the monsoon set in on June 17.
IMD has issued an orange alert predicting thunderstorms, lightning, and wind gusting up to 50–60 kmph at isolated places over northeastern and adjoining central parts in Dhanbad, Bokaro, Koderma, Hazaribag, and Ramgarh districts.
The bulletin stated that maximum temperatures across the state are likely to drop by 2–3 degrees Celsius on Saturday and Sunday. On Friday, Ranchi recorded a maximum temperature of 31.4 degrees Celsius, Jamshedpur 34.5 degrees, Daltonganj 39.8 degrees, Bokaro 34.2 degrees, and Chaibasa 35.4 degrees.
IMD on Thursday issued an extended range forecast for the state from June 12 to 25, predicting rain and thunderstorms, along with isolated heavy rainfall across the state during the period. However, cumulatively below-normal rainfall is expected during this period, the report said.
"The state is likely to record normal to above-normal maximum temperatures in the range of 31–40 degrees Celsius from June 12 to 18. Similarly, normal to above-normal maximum temperatures are expected from June 19 to 25. Daytime temperatures are likely to lie in the range of 33–40 degrees Celsius during the week," the forecast predicted.
