Lightning Strikes Claim 10 Lives in State
Patna: In an abrupt turn of weather events, heavy rainfall has commenced in Muzaffarpur, accompanied by a deluge earlier this morning in Sitamarhi on Sunday. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued rain alerts for eight districts including East and West Champaran, Sheohar, Sitamarhi, Madhubani, Supaul, Araria, and Kishanganj. Yellow alerts are in effect due to strong winds gusting at speeds between 40 to 50 kilometers per hour.
Saturday evening witnessed rainfall in numerous districts across the state, resulting in tragic fatalities. Ten individuals lost their lives due to roof collapses, and one during the storm. Additionally, Nawada experienced a severe hailstorm.
According to the IMD, a cyclonic circulation persists over North-East Bihar, gradually shifting towards Northern Odisha and Jharkhand. Moist air from the Bay of Bengal continues to influence weather patterns, providing relief from the heatwave until May 13.
Notable shifts in weather have been observed, particularly in North Bihar. Barsoi in Katihar recorded 6 mm of rainfall, while Nauhatta in Rohtas saw 0.2 mm within the last 24 hours.
Over the next 48 hours, minimal changes are anticipated in the state’s maximum temperatures, with a subsequent rise of 3-4 degrees C thereafter. Despite temperatures remaining below 40 degrees C across Bihar, Aurangabad registered the highest at 39.9 degrees C, a 1.4-degree C increase from Friday. Patna recorded a maximum temperature of 35 degrees C, marking a 1.5-degree C rise from the previous day.
Samastipur noted the lowest maximum temperature at 32.2 degrees C, with Bihar experiencing temperatures 1 to 5.9 degrees C below normal. Elections scheduled for May 13 in Begusarai, Munger, Samastipur, Ujiarpur, and Darbhanga are anticipated to encounter favorable weather conditions.
Tragic fatalities continue to mount as a result of the adverse weather conditions. Ten individuals succumbed to injuries from roof collapses during the storm, with an additional five casualties reported due to landslides in the Bikramganj area of Rohtas. Gaya, Nardiganj, and Jamui of Nawada reported three, one, and one fatalities respectively. In Aurangabad, a laborer met a fatal end after falling from a roof during the storm.
