Jharkhand’s festive shopping season could face disruption as the India Meteorological Department forecasts heavy to very heavy rain, thunderstorms, lightning and gusty winds across several districts on Thursday and Friday. Traders said the weather could reduce customer footfall, affect roadside markets and make it harder to clear festive stocks.
Western Jharkhand is expected to see very heavy rain at isolated locations, with Garhwa, Palamu, Latehar, Lohardaga, Gumla and Simdega among the districts likely to be affected. Isolated heavy rain has also been forecast in central and southern districts, including Seraikela-Kharsawan, East Singhbhum and West Singhbhum, as well as Chatra.
The IMD has warned of thunderstorms, lightning and winds reaching 50-60 kmph at isolated locations in northwestern, southern and central Jharkhand. Northeastern and adjoining central districts may experience winds of 30-40 kmph. Similar conditions have been forecast across the state on Friday.
The warnings come as traders prepare for the next round of festivals, with about a week remaining for shopping activity to pick up. In many parts of the state, festive commerce includes roadside stalls, temporary markets and small shops that depend heavily on evening footfall and outdoor movement.
Ranchi trader Anmol Singh said online shopping had already affected festival business. He added that month-end financial pressure had weakened consumer spending further. Businessman Ajay Kumar Singh said many people had spent heavily during Durga Puja and were now facing financial pressure towards the end of the month.
The combination of rain, strong winds and subdued household spending could put additional pressure on traders holding seasonal stock. However, the report did not provide estimates of expected losses or details of any specific market closures, municipal advisories or restrictions on roadside vending.
The weather system is linked to Very Severe Cyclonic Storm Arnab, which crossed the Andhra Pradesh and Yanam coasts between Bapatla and Visakhapatnam on Wednesday. The storm had sustained winds of 125-135 kmph, with gusts reaching 150 kmph, and completed landfall by 8am.
Abhishek Anand, scientist and deputy director of the Ranchi IMD office, said the cyclone was expected to move north-northwestwards and weaken into a cyclonic storm within six hours. It was then likely to weaken further into a deep depression over the following six hours.
Despite the cyclone’s influence, no flight was cancelled or diverted from Birsa Munda Airport in Ranchi on Wednesday, according to the report. The IMD forecast for Thursday and Friday remains the immediate weather-related factor for markets, commuters and outdoor festive activity across the state.
