Jharkhand witnessing rainfall due to cyclone

Jharkhand witnessed incessant rainfall since Saturday afternoon ahead of cyclonic storm Phailin which made landfall on the east coast at night and the weather department Sunday said the state would experience heavy rainfall for the next two days.

"Almost all parts of the state are witnessing rainfall and 60-70 km per hour winds. The Phailin impact would continue for the next 48 hours and the state may witness heavy to very heavy rainfall," G.K. Mohanty, director of Jharkhand Met Department, told IANS.

State capital Ranchi and other parts of the state have had 10-12 cm rainfall.

According to Mohanty, Phailin moved to 50 km south of Sambalpur in western Odisha at 8.30 a.m. Sunday and it may touch Jharkhand by the evening.

Due to strong winds uprooting electricity poles, power supply has been disrupted in many parts of the state. In many parts of Ranchi there is no power since Saturday night. Trees fell on roads disrupting traffic.

The incessant rainfall also dampened the festive mood in the state. People could not move out of their homes Saturday to visit Durga Puja pandals. A similar situation was prevailing Sunday.

The district administration has advised people to stay indoors considering the impact of Phailin.