The IMD has issued an alert for thunderstorms and lightning in all 24 districts of Jharkhand, valid from September 18 to September 20.
The state can expect light to moderate rainfall, with heavy showers possible in some places.
Wind gusts of 30 to 40 kmph are forecast, especially in southern and central Jharkhand.
Maximum temperatures should hold near 30 to 31 degrees Celsius through the alert period.
The department advises people to avoid open fields, trees and electric poles when storms strike.
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.
The plateau districts around Ranchi, Khunti, Gumla, Simdega and Lohardaga are likely to feel relatively pleasant because of cloud cover and rain.
Lightning is a leading cause of weather-related deaths in Jharkhand, which is why the meteorological office repeats safety advice during every thunderstorm alert.
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.
Ranchi lake, Jharkhand (representative image), Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
