Patna: Cold conditions continue to grip Bihar, with the India Meteorological Department (IMD) issuing a yellow alert for 18 districts on January 18 due to dense fog. The advisory warns that visibility could fall sharply, increasing risks for road and rail travel, particularly during early morning and late evening hours.
The districts under alert include East and West Champaran, Sitamarhi, Sheohar, Madhubani, Gopalganj, Siwan, Muzaffarpur, Darbhanga, Chhapra, Vaishali, Samastipur, Buxar, Bhojpur, Arwal, Kaimur, Rohtas and Aurangabad. Residents in these areas have been advised to remain cautious and avoid unnecessary travel where possible.
According to the IMD, temperatures across the state may fall again after January 23 . Meteorologists say a new western disturbance could become active around that time, allowing cold north-westerly winds to move into Bihar. While no fresh warning has been issued yet, officials have advised people to stay alert to changing weather conditions.
At present, daytime temperatures in Bihar are ranging between 20.8°C and 25.4°C, while night-time temperatures have dropped to between 5.9°C and 12.2°C. The chill becomes more pronounced after sunset, with Motihari recording the lowest visibility of just 350 metres in the past 24 hours.
In the state capital, Patna, mornings and evenings remain particularly cold. However, residents are getting some relief during the afternoon as sunshine breaks through the haze, making conditions slightly more comfortable.
