The India Meteorological Department has issued a thunderstorm and lightning alert for all 24 districts of Jharkhand, valid from September 18 to September 20.
Light to moderate rain is expected across the state, with heavy showers possible in several locations during the three-day spell.
Wind gusts of 30 to 40 kmph are likely, especially in southern and central Jharkhand, while maximum temperatures should hold near 30 to 31 degrees Celsius.
People have been advised to avoid open fields, trees and electric poles during storms, when lightning poses the biggest risk.
Cloud cover and rain are expected to keep the weather relatively pleasant in Ranchi, Khunti, Gumla, Simdega and Lohardaga.
The alert period runs from September 18 to September 20, 2026, and covers every one of Jharkhand’s 24 districts.
Districts named in the alert include Ranchi, Khunti, Gumla, Simdega, Lohardaga, Latehar, Palamu, Garhwa, Chatra, Hazaribagh, Koderma, Ramgarh and Bokaro.
Giridih, Dhanbad, Saraikela-Kharsawan, East Singhbhum, West Singhbhum, Deoghar, Dumka, Jamtara, Sahibganj, Pakur and Godda are also covered by the alert.
Wind gusts of 30 to 40 kmph are expected, particularly across southern and central Jharkhand, during thunderstorm activity.
Maximum temperatures are likely to stay around 30 to 31 degrees Celsius, while the minimum in Ranchi is expected near 22 degrees Celsius.
Light to moderate rainfall is forecast across the state, with heavy showers possible at several locations during the three-day period.
Residents are advised to avoid standing in open fields, under trees or near electric poles while thunderstorms and lightning are active.
Farmers and outdoor workers have been urged to take shelter in sturdy buildings when lightning is seen or thunder is heard.
Ranchi recorded about 18 mm of rain on Tuesday, according to reported weather data, while Simdega logged 5 mm and Deoghar 3 mm.
The rainy spell arrives as the southwest monsoon begins its gradual withdrawal phase across India, though active weather can persist in the east for days.
Ranchi lake, Jharkhand (representative image), Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
