Jharkhand battles monsoon mayhem: 5 dead, 1 missing; IMD warns of heavy downpours across state

NEW DELHI: Heavy rainfall continued to wreak havoc across parts of Jharkhand, leaving five people dead, one person missing, and several others injured, according to officials on Saturday morning. In Seraikela-Kharsawan district, a woman and her seven-year-old son lost their lives after the roof of their kuchcha house collapsed late Friday night in Dandu village under Rajnagar block. Eight more people were injured in the same incident. “The woman and her son died during treatment at the MGM Hospital in Jamshedpur. Eight others were also injured as the kuchcha house of one Santosh Lohar collapsed,” Rajnagar's BDO Malay Das told news agency PTI.

The collapse occurred while relatives were visiting Lohar's home, a police officer added. In a separate incident in the same district, a five-year-old child died and three others were injured when a wall of a house collapsed early Saturday morning in Kol Shimla village under Kharsawan police station limits. Tragedy also struck Chatra district, where a couple was swept away by a swollen river in Katghara village on Friday.

While the husband’s body was recovered, his wife is still missing. “The body of the husband was recovered, while the wife is still missing,” said Gidhour’s BDO Rahul Dev. In another rain-related incident in the same district, one person was killed in Khairatola village in Pathalgada block. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) in Ranchi has forecast more heavy to very heavy rainfall in isolated areas across the state for the coming days. On Saturday, intense rainfall is likely over north-western regions including Garhwa, Chatra, Palamu and Latehar, with additional downpours expected in the south-western, north-eastern and central parts. For Sunday, the IMD has issued another warning for heavy rainfall over western and central Jharkhand, along with the possibility of thunderstorms or lightning accompanied by gusty winds reaching speeds of 30 to 40 kmph. In Ranchi, persistent rainfall has led to widespread waterlogging, blocked drains and mounting garbage, creating unsanitary conditions and mobility issues for residents. Streets in several residential colonies and markets remain submerged. “The drains are choked and the waste is floating everywhere. It is impossible to walk without covering your nose,” said Rina Sharma, a resident of Kokar. Students too are struggling to navigate the flooded streets. “We cannot reach school on time because the roads look like rivers. Even public transport is slow and crowded,” said Abhinab Tudu, a college student. Many students voiced concern about the potential health risks posed by prolonged exposure to such unhygienic conditions. Authorities are on alert as the weather situation continues to evolve, with emergency teams monitoring vulnerable areas closely.(With agency inputs)