Several places across Jharkhand including Ranchi and Jamshedpur witnessed thunderstorm, lightning and rain during the last 24 hours, due to the impact of an induced cyclonic circulation extending upto 1.5 km above mean sea level. The cyclonic circulation was triggered by a western disturbance passing through northern India.

Friday's satellite pictures indicated a trough running from the cyclonic circulation over east Madhya Pradesh and adjoining Chhattisgarh to Nagaland across Jharkhand, Gangetic West Bengal and Assam extending upto 1.5 km above mean sea level.

Weathermen said, "Light to moderate rain or thundershower was expected at isolated places over north and central Jharkhand." Ranchi Met Centre also issued a nowcast ( short- term forecast ) of rain, lightning and thunder in several districts on Friday.

The Met centre also alerted people not to take shelter under trees and thatched houses during thunderstorm and lightning.

Tomorrow light rain or thundershower activity is likely at a few places over south-east, north-east and central Jharkhand. Heavy moisture incursion was taking place into the atmosphere because of the induced cyclonic circulation.

Ranchi too recorded around 29 mm of rain while several places in Dhanbad district recorded rainfall between 20 and 25 mm. Dumka, Hazaribagh, Jamtara, Lohardaga, Daltonganj, Chandil in Seraikela - Kharsawan district, Ghatshila in East Singhbhum, Chaibasa in West Singhbhum and several other places across the state witnessed rain accompanied by thunder and lightning during the past 24- hours.

According to the forecast the minimum temperature would continue to rise while maximum temperature will witness a drop due to the cloud cover and an adverse wind pattern.

Today's Met data suggested that most places across the state recorded minimum temperature between 14 and 16 degree Celsius.