Ranchi, Aug 14 - It has been raining in Jharkhand in the last 36 hours, but that is unlikely to end the drought situation, an official of the Met Department said here Friday.

The rainfall occurred when a central team was visiting Jharkhand to assess the drought situation in the state.

'The rainfall is taking place due to cyclonic circulation formed up to 3 km from sea level in eastern Uttar Pradesh, Bihar and Jharkhand. The rainfall is likely to give minor relief to drought affected areas but it will not end the drought situation in the state,' G.K. Mohanty, who is in charge of the Jharkhand Met office, told IANS.

Ranchi has witnessed around 60.7 mm rainfall in the last 36 hours, Jamshedpur 35 mm and Palamau 4.4 mm.

Considering the grim situation, different political parties have demanded that the state be declared famine affected.