A billboard damaged during the storm in Berhampur, Odisha.
Heavy rains today lashed Jharkhand following the "peripheral effect" of cyclone Phailin, now centred in neighbouring Odisha, and more rains have been forecast in the state till tomorrow.
"The peripheral effect following Phailin that lay centred in Odisha began in Jharkhand since early morning with heavy rains lashing several districts of the state," a MeT spokesman said in Ranchi today.
He said 74.6 mm rain was recorded in Ranchi till 8.30 am while Jamshedpur (52.4 mm), Bokaro (58.4 mm) along with other districts also experienced heavy rainfall and surface winds.
"The severe cyclonic storm is expected to turn into deep depression by this evening," the spokesman added.
Weather scientist at the Birsa Agriculture University A Wadood said Khunti, East and West Singhbhum districts, Simdega, Latehar, Lohardaga, Ranchi, Bokaro, Gumla, Hazaribagh, Ramgarh were experiencing downpour.
Barring an early morning lightning strike at Simdradhao village in Giridih district in which a person was killed, there were no reports of rain-related casualty anywhere in the state, according to police.
The Disaster Management Department and the district administrations were monitoring the situation.
© 2013, The New York Times News Service