Patna: The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a yellow alert for 18 districts of Bihar for Makar Sankranti on January 14, warning of dense fog and severely reduced visibility as cold conditions continue to grip the state.
According to the weather office, thick fog is likely to persist through the early morning and late evening hours, posing risks to road and rail travel. Residents have been advised to step out only when necessary and to take precautions while commuting.
The districts under the yellow alert are East Champaran, West Champaran, Sitamarhi, Sheohar, Madhubani, Supaul, Araria, Kishanganj, Gopalganj, Muzaffarpur, Darbhanga, Madhepura, Saharsa, Purnia, Saran, Vaishali, Samastipur, and Katihar.
Bihar has been experiencing a prolonged cold wave, with chilly mornings and evenings accompanied by dense fog, while mild sunshine during the afternoons has offered brief relief. Visibility in some areas has dropped sharply, with Supaul recording a minimum visibility of just 10 metres in the past 24 hours.
The IMD said that similar weather conditions are likely to continue over the next five days, with dense fog expected in the mornings and cold north-westerly winds intensifying the chill. However, a slight rise in temperatures is possible over the next one to two days.
Meteorologists have also indicated that a western disturbance may become active over western Bihar on January 15, which could bring further changes in weather patterns across the state.
On Monday, most parts of Bihar recorded relatively clearer skies during the day, providing some respite from the cold. The lowest minimum temperature was recorded at 4.6°C in Pusa, Samastipur, while the state’s minimum temperatures ranged between 4.6°C and 11°C. Compared with Sunday, several areas saw a rise of 2 to 4 degrees in minimum temperatures, with a similar upward trend in daytime temperatures.
With festival celebrations coinciding with hazardous weather conditions, authorities have urged people to remain cautious, especially during early morning travel, when visibility is expected to be at its lowest.
