Patna: Temperatures in Bihar are set to climb sharply in the run-up to Holi, with the mercury expected to touch 35C over the next two days, according to the India Meteorological Department.
Holi will be celebrated on March 4 this year, but residents across the state are already grappling with intense heat, particularly during the afternoon hours. The weather office has forecast a rise of around 3C on Saturday and Sunday, pushing maximum temperatures close to 35C in several districts.
On Friday, the state recorded a maximum temperature of 33C, with most districts seeing an increase of about 1.8C in daytime temperatures over the previous 24 hours. Minimum temperatures, however, dipped slightly. Kaimur district registered the highest temperature in the state, while Kishanganj district recorded the lowest.
In southern districts, the heat was more pronounced than in the north. Towns including Dehri, Gaya and Aurangabad reported maximum temperatures of 32C. Other districts such as Sheikhpura, Patna, Rajgir, Sasaram, Motihari, Munger and Banka also recorded temperatures above 30C.
The department said that temperatures had risen in around 19 districts in the past 24 hours. With the heat intensifying earlier than usual, officials warned that conditions typically associated with the peak summer month of Jyeshtha could be felt as early as March.
In Patna, the maximum temperature reached 30C in the last 24 hours, the highest recorded in the city so far this year. The minimum temperature fell by 0.4C. The strong afternoon sun has kept many indoors, and health experts cautioned that prolonged exposure could increase the risk of heat-related illnesses even before Holi festivities begin.
