Several parts of the state, especially the southern and north-eastern districts, are likely to witness a good spell of rain  in the next 24 hours because of the impact of a cyclonic circulation from Uttar Pradesh to Jharkhand across southeastern Uttar Pradesh extending up to 0.9 km above mean sea level.

Weathermen at Ranchi Meteorological Centre  this afternoon said the formation of the cyclonic circulation between 3.1 Km and 5.8 Km above the mean sea level would result in  heavy showers at a few isolated places in Kolhan region , Simdega  and Khunti in the next 24 hours. "The rain would be accompanied by lightning and thunder at a few isolated places," said an official of the Ranchi Meteorological Centre.

He said satellite pictures and chart analysis also indicated  that a trough  was running  from south Gujarat to coastal West Bengal through the cyclonic circulation, hovering  between 3.1 and 5.8 km above mean sea level. He went on to say that the development of the system is under continuous surveillance and the concerned state governments  are being informed regularly.

An official said, " It's too early to comment anything now. Various weather models suggest formation of a low pressure over the east central Bay of Bengal. It is likely to intensify into a cyclonic storm. Things will be more clear in the next 48 hours."

Several places including Ranchi, Ramgarh, Bokaro, Garhwa, Khunti and Seraikela-Kharsawan district experienced thunderstorms and rain this evening which was due to the impact of a low intensity Nor'wester.

Several parts of Jharkhand are expected to experience lightning strikes during the next three days, warned the weatherman today. IMD's Ranchi Meteorological Centre also issued an alert of heavy rain in isolated pockets of  the state,  especially in northern districts during the next 24 hours.

The Ranchi Met Centre on Sunday issued a series of  nowcasts ( short term forecast ) of thunderstorms and rain in Ranchi and several other places.