Patna: Bihar chief secretary Pratyaya Amrit on Monday chaired a high-level review meeting on the prevailing heatwave and the upcoming monsoon, with officials warning of the possibility of below-normal rainfall in the early months of the 2026 monsoon season.
The meeting, held with the Bihar Weather Service Center (BMSK), focused on temperature trends, rainfall projections and preparedness measures across the state.
Heatwave Conditions Intensify
Officials said temperatures across several zones—particularly the south-western and south-central regions—have remained above normal between March and late April.
Forecasts indicate that maximum temperatures are likely to rise further across most parts of Bihar in the coming days, with close monitoring of day-night temperature variations underway.
Monsoon Outlook Raises Concerns
The Weather Service Center indicated a likelihood of below-normal rainfall in June and July, raising concerns for agriculture and water availability.
While rainfall is expected to improve during August and September, officials warned that an early-season deficit could impact crop cycles and groundwater levels.
Central and western parts of the state are likely to see a sharper shortfall, with relatively better conditions expected in some pockets of north-eastern and south-eastern Bihar.
Directives To Departments
In view of the forecast, the chief secretary issued a series of directives to district administrations and departments:
- Water supply: The Public Health Engineering Department has been asked to ensure all hand pumps and piped water systems remain functional amid falling groundwater levels.
- Health preparedness: Hospitals have been directed to maintain special wards and adequate medicines to treat heat-related illnesses, including sunstroke.
- Public awareness: Authorities will launch awareness campaigns to disseminate weather updates through digital platforms and mobile applications.
- Continuous monitoring: Temperature and rainfall patterns will be tracked round the clock, with the disaster management department on alert for emergencies.
Power And Livestock Measures
The government has also directed uninterrupted power supply across the state, with quick response teams to address outages caused by increased demand during the heatwave.
Veterinary services have been asked to stock essential medicines and ensure availability of drinking water for livestock, including through tanker supply where required.
Focus On Preparedness
Officials said the coordinated approach aims to mitigate the impact of extreme weather conditions, as Bihar braces for a challenging summer and an uncertain monsoon season.
