Jharkhand cyclone warning conditions are expected from October 27 to 29, with thunderstorms, lightning, gusty winds and isolated heavy rain forecast as a Bay of Bengal depression is expected to intensify and cross the Andhra Pradesh coast on October 28.
The India Meteorological Department has forecast the depression over the east-central and adjoining southeast Bay of Bengal to strengthen into a cyclonic storm by the morning of October 26, a severe cyclonic storm by October 27 and a very severe cyclonic storm by October 28.
The system was practically stationary at 8.30am on Sunday, according to the report by Times of India – Ranchi. It is expected to cross the Andhra Pradesh and Yanam coasts between Bapatla and Visakhapatnam by the forenoon of October 28, with sustained wind speeds of 115-125 kmph and gusts reaching up to 140 kmph.
Abhishek Anand, scientist and deputy director of IMD Ranchi, said the cyclone’s effects could bring strong winds, lightning and rain to Jharkhand even though the system is forecast to make landfall on the Andhra Pradesh coast. The weather office has issued a yellow warning for October 27, covering eastern, southern and adjoining central areas of the state. Thunderstorms, lightning and gusty winds of 30-40 kmph are likely at isolated locations in these regions.
The warning is expected to intensify on October 28. An orange warning has been issued for northwestern, southern and central Jharkhand for thunderstorms, lightning and winds of 50-60 kmph. Winds of 30-40 kmph are forecast in northeastern and adjoining central areas, while isolated heavy rain is likely in southern and adjoining central districts.
On October 29, thunderstorms, lightning and gusty winds of 50-60 kmph may affect the entire state. Isolated heavy rain is forecast in northwestern, southern and central areas, while northeastern and adjoining central areas may experience winds of 30-40 kmph.
The forecast has direct implications for urban services and vulnerable structures. Anand said strong winds and lightning could disrupt normal life, particularly in areas with weak trees, mud houses and tin-roofed structures. Power supply may also be affected if electric wires are snapped, creating risks for households, traffic systems and essential services.
Residents have been advised to avoid taking shelter under trees and secure loose roofing materials. The IMD official also warned that the combination of wind and lightning could affect routine activity across exposed locations. The forecast places different parts of Jharkhand under varying levels of risk over three days, with the potential impact widening from selected districts on October 27 to the entire state on October 29.
The weather office’s next operational milestones are the expected intensification of the Bay of Bengal system from October 26 and its forecast landfall between Bapatla and Visakhapatnam on October 28.
