Continuous and intense rainfall over the past two days has severely disrupted daily life across Jharkhand, as the south-west monsoon hits the region with full force.
At least five fatalities have been reported in separate rain-related incidents on Thursday, as torrential downpours caused flooding in many low-lying areas. Public transport was thrown into chaos with train services halted, roads submerged, and schools across the state ordered shut due to the extreme weather.
In West Singhbhum, a mud house collapsed under the pressure of the rain, killing a woman and injuring her three children. In Khunti, the bodies of two young boys aged nine and ten were recovered after a rain-induced collapse of an under-construction well.
A tragic bus accident in Hazaribagh, caused by slippery roads and poor visibility, left at least 10 injured, including three in critical condition.
Ranchi saw further devastation as a six-year-old girl died when her house crumbled. In a separate incident, Michael Ghosh, a well-known music teacher, was swept away by powerful currents while visiting Jonha Falls.
The downpour also led to damage to infrastructure. A part of a bridge over the Banai River gave way, halting movement on the Ranchi-Odisha route and leaving a truck stranded. A stretch of National Highway-43 between Ranchi and Gumla was also washed out.
Authorities have issued flood warnings in Jamshedpur, with the Kharkhai and Subarnarekha rivers nearing danger levels. Tatanagar Railway Station experienced waterlogging, leading to the cancellation of more than 20 passenger and MEMU trains, including the Tata-Kharagpur and Rourkela-Tata MEMU services.
The India Meteorological Department has sounded a red alert for Ranchi, Khunti, Gumla, Lohardaga, and Simdega, citing a low-pressure zone over north-east Jharkhand and warning of extremely heavy rainfall within the next 24 hours. Surrounding areas remain under an orange alert.
Responding to the situation, the Ranchi District Administration has ordered all schools—from kindergarten to Class 12, including private and minority institutions—to remain closed on 20 June.
According to the Ranchi Meteorological Centre, the monsoon remains highly active in the state, with widespread rainfall recorded over the last 24 hours. Simdega topped the list with 102 mm of rain, followed by Ranchi with 62.8 mm, Seraikela at 43 mm, Chaibasa at 38.2 mm, and Bokaro at 37.6 mm.
After a 52% rainfall deficit between 1 and 17 June, the recent deluge has led to a surplus of 103%. Jharkhand has received 170.2 mm of rain between 1 and 19 June, compared to the usual 83.7 mm during the same period.
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