Patna: Dense fog enveloped at least 12 districts of Bihar on Thursday morning, severely reducing visibility and intensifying the winter chill across the state. Patna, Bhagalpur, Banka, Lakhisarai, Begusarai, Samastipur, Bettiah, Gopalganj, Sitamarhi and several other districts reported poor visibility, with parts of the state capital recording visibility as low as 20 metres.
Darbhanga also witnessed reduced visibility
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a yellow alert for fog in five districts for Thursday. Weather officials warned that cold conditions are expected to intensify due to strong westerly winds, with a cold wave likely to set in over the next 48 hours. The cold wave conditions may persist till the end of December, particularly affecting north-western Bihar.
According to data from the past 24 hours, Samastipur emerged as the coldest district in the state, recording a minimum temperature of 8.5 degrees Celsius, around two degrees below normal.
Western Disturbance Behind Weather Shift
The Patna Meteorological Centre said a fresh western disturbance has become active over the western Himalayan region, with its impact now extending to the northern plains, including Bihar. As a result, cold and dry north-westerly winds have strengthened and reached the state, leading to a sharp drop in night temperatures.
Meteorologists explained that the combination of moisture and cold air is causing dense fog and smog-like conditions during the early morning hours. Despite sunshine during the day, the chill continues due to persistent cold winds.
Transport Affected in Several Districts
Aurangabad witnessed dense fog from early morning, with visibility dropping below 50 metres in many areas. Road and rail traffic were affected, with vehicles moving at a slow pace on highways and rural roads. In some locations, drivers halted vehicles as a precautionary measure.
Lakhisarai reported visibility of around 20 metres, while Banka and Begusarai recorded visibility below 50 metres. In Begusarai’s Bachhwara area, dense fog continued to disrupt morning movement. Supaul also remained under thick fog, with the minimum temperature dipping to around 11 degrees Celsius.
In Samastipur and surrounding areas, dense fog reduced visibility to about 50 metres, while cold winds added to the chill. The district recorded a maximum temperature of around 23 degrees Celsius and a minimum of 8.5 degrees Celsius in the last 24 hours.
Patna Weather Outlook
In Patna, light to moderate fog is expected during the morning hours, with low visibility likely to persist. Partial sunshine may appear during the day, but cold north-westerly winds will prevent significant relief from the cold. The minimum temperature in the capital is expected to drop further over the next few days.
Cold Wave Warning
The IMD stated that if wind speeds increase further and temperatures continue to fall, cold wave conditions may develop in parts of Bihar within the next two to three days. North-western districts are particularly vulnerable.
Residents across several districts were seen warming themselves around bonfires as the winter chill intensified, with locals in many areas saying this was the densest fog they have experienced so far this season.
