Poor Visibility at Patna Airport Leads to Flight Diversions; Cold Wave Expected to Intensify in Bihar from January 16

Patna: Flights from Delhi to Patna were affected due to low visibility at Patna airport caused by dense fog. Air India flight AI 897, arriving from Delhi, was diverted to Kolkata, while SpiceJet flight SG 8721 was canceled. Additionally, Indigo flight 6E 51041 is expected to arrive at Patna with a delay of 1 hour and 30 minutes. This disruption comes as the Bihar Meteorological Center issued a fog alert for 11 districts in the state, with normal weather conditions expected in the remaining 27 districts.

The Meteorological Department has also stated that the cold wave in Bihar is expected to subside temporarily with the minimum temperature staying within normal ranges on January 14 and 15. However, a new western disturbance from tonight is likely to bring back the cold wave, which will increase once again from January 16. The department has further indicated that fog will continue to affect morning visibility in several districts of the state.

Purnia recorded the highest maximum temperature of 26.9 degrees Celsius over the last 24 hours, while West Champaran experienced the lowest minimum temperature at 9.5 degrees Celsius. The weather conditions are expected to remain stable across the state for the next five days, with no significant changes in the minimum temperature forecasted until January 18.

In the meantime, the state is bracing for a fresh cold wave as a cyclonic circulation forming in northern Bangladesh and nearby areas extends up to one and a half kilometers above sea level, influencing the weather patterns in Bihar. The cold wave’s return could further affect daily life, particularly as the temperatures dip again from mid-January.