Ranchi: Residents of the state can expect relief from the persistent heat wave as the India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecast thunderstorms and hailstorms from the weekend till Wednesday, next week. Maximum temperatures are predicted to drop by 3 degrees Celsius to 5 degrees Celsius in the coming days, according to the IMD.
The Met department on Thursday also issued an extended range forecast for the state and said fairly widespread rainfall would occur from April 25 to May 8. During this period, normal to below normal maximum temperature is likely.
Notably, from March 1 to April 24, while the state received seasonal rainfall in large excess, only two districts received normal rainfall.
IMD Ranchi head Abhishek Anand said weather conditions will improve starting Saturday, offering respite from rising temperatures. "Thunderstorms and lightning with gusty winds of 30-40 kmph are expected in isolated areas across northeastern and southern regions on Saturday. From Sunday onwards, thunderstorms, lightning, hailstorms and gusty winds up to 40-50 kmph will likely occur across various parts of the state," he said.

The weather office has also issued an orange alert for Sunday in northeastern and central Jharkhand, warning of thunderstorms, lightning and hailstorms. Anand urged residents to take necessary precautions during lightning activities.
Currently, most parts of the state continue to experience extreme heat with temperatures exceeding 40 degrees Celsius. On Friday, Daltonganj recorded the highest temperature at 43.5 degrees Celsius, followed by 42.9 degrees Celsius in Jamshedpur, 42.4 degrees Celsius in Chaibasa, 42.1 degrees Celsius in Bokaro and state capital Ranchi experienced 39.3 degrees Celsius.
The forecast change in weather patterns is expected to bring much-needed relief to residents who have been enduring the intense heat wave for several days.
In the wake of the rising mercury levels, all govt, non-govt and private schools in the state have rescheduled their class timings from Saturday until further notice by the state education and literacy department. An order in this regard was issued on Thursday.
While classes from KG to Class VIII will start at 7 am and end at 11.30 am, students of Class IX to XII will attend their classes from 7 am and continue till 12 noon.