Similar reports of puja pandal collapses have also emerged from other parts of Dhanbad. Light gates in Matkuria and Saraidhela puja pandals have reportedly collapsed, although no casualties have been reported from those locations.
Continuous rainfall since 17 June, when the South West Monsoon entered Jharkhand, has wreaked havoc across the state over the past three months, resulting in loss of property and lives. Two farmers died while working in the fields when lightning struck in the Bodam block, adjacent to Jamshedpur in East Singhbhum district, on Friday.
The Meteorological Centre in Ranchi has issued a yellow alert for the state until 30 September, warning that monsoon activity is expected to intensify in the coming days.
In the past 24 hours, the monsoon remained active across Jharkhand, with light to moderate rainfall recorded at several locations. The highest rainfall was recorded in Palamu, at 51 mm.
Ranchi and Saraikela-Kharsawan have recorded a surplus of 50 percent rainfall this monsoon season. Ranchi has received a total of 1,524.9 mm, as against the normal average of 1,013.9 mm. Saraikela-Kharsawan has received a total of 1,479.9 mm, compared with the normal 989.7 mm.
