Ranchi, May 11 — Heatwave-like conditions gripped Jharkhand's Santhal Pargana region on Sunday, with Pakur district emerging as the hottest spot at a scorching 40.5 degrees Celsius, according to the Ranchi Meteorological Centre.
While the northeastern part of the state endured intense heat and humidity, southern and central districts, including the capital, Ranchi, experienced some respite with rain and thunderstorms in the last 24 hours.
Deputy Director of the Ranchi Meteorological Centre, Abhishek Anand, said, "The north-eastern districts, mostly in Santhal Pargana, are likely to experience hot and humid conditions today. However, the southern and central regions are expected to receive rain accompanied by thunderstorms and gusty winds."
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a heatwave alert for eight districts — Deoghar, Jamtara, Pakur, Godda, Sahibganj, Dumka, Dhanbad, and Giridih — until May 16.
On Saturday, apart from Pakur, Jamshedpur and Daltonganj also faced intense heat, recording maximum temperatures of 40.3°C and 40.1°C respectively.
Authorities are urging residents in the affected districts to take necessary precautions against heatstroke and avoid prolonged exposure to the sun during peak hours.
