Bihar Scorched by Heatwave as Monsoon Onset Delayed

Patna: Bihar faces no respite from the scorching heat over the next two to three days, with the India Meteorological Department (IMD) issuing an orange alert for a severe heatwave across 16 districts.

The affected districts include Banka, Lakhisarai, Begusarai, Sheikhpura, Nawada, Nalanda, Jehanabad, Gaya, Patna, Arwal, Aurangabad, Rohtas, Kaimur, Buxar, and Bhojpur. Additionally, a yellow alert for heatwave conditions has been issued for the remaining districts.

According to the IMD, the monsoon has been stalled in Islampur, West Bengal, for the past nine days, delaying its entry into Bihar. The southwest monsoon, typically arriving from eastern Bihar, is now expected between 13 and 15 June.

The prolonged delay has exacerbated the heat across Bihar, with temperatures in the plains rising significantly. Westerly winds from Rajasthan are further driving up temperatures in central and southern Bihar, while moisture from the Bay of Bengal is increasing humidity in the eastern part of the state, adding to the discomfort.

On Sunday, temperatures in ten districts soared 6 degrees above normal. The Meteorological Department has forecast strong winds (30-40 km per hour) with heatwave conditions in the southwest and south-central regions, including Jamui and Banka, on June 11. The northwest, north-central, and southeast parts of the state are expected to experience hot and humid conditions, with Patna, Gaya, and Nalanda districts facing particularly warm nights.

On June 12, heatwave conditions are predicted to persist in the southwest, while the northwest, central, and southeast regions will likely continue to endure hot and humid days.