Patna: The India Meteorological Department has issued a yellow alert for rain in 25 districts of Bihar on Sunday, with winds reaching around 40 kmph and lightning possible in some areas.
Rain is likely across most of North Bihar, while no weather warning has currently been issued for large parts of South Bihar.
Rainfall remains 41% below normal
Bihar has received significantly less rainfall than normal so far this monsoon season. According to India Meteorological Department data up to August 22, the state has recorded 411.2mm of rainfall against the normal 701.5mm, leaving a deficit of 41%.
The rainfall deficit is particularly severe in several districts. West Champaran has recorded 87% less rainfall than normal, Gopalganj 76%, and Siwan and Muzaffarpur 97% each.
East Champaran, Sitamarhi, Sheohar, Supaul, Araria and Saharsa, among other districts, are facing deficits of up to 100%.
South Bihar may see light rain
Weather conditions are expected to remain relatively normal in South Bihar, although scattered clouds and light rain may develop in Patna, Gaya, Nalanda, Nawada, Jehanabad, Arwal, Aurangabad, Rohtas, Kaimur, Bhojpur, Buxar, Sheikhpura, Lakhisarai, Jamui and Banka.
Patna is expected to remain generally cloudy on Sunday, with one or two spells of rain or thundershowers possible. The maximum temperature is forecast at around 35C and the minimum at around 29C.
The city is expected to remain cloudy on August 24, with temperatures around 35C and 28C. On August 25, the maximum temperature may fall to around 34C, with the minimum at about 28C.
A further drop is expected on August 26, when Patna’s maximum temperature could fall to around 32C and the minimum to around 27C.
— Mausam Bihar- IMD Patna (@imd_patna) August 22, 2026
Kalyanpur records highest rainfall
Kalyanpur in Samastipur recorded the highest rainfall in Bihar over the past 24 hours at 52.4mm.
Other significant rainfall figures included 20.4mm in Chanpatia in West Champaran, 16.8mm in Manjha in Gopalganj, 16.6mm in Bounsi in Banka and 14mm in Krityanand Nagar in Purnia.
Goradih in Bhagalpur recorded 9.2mm, while Kuchaikot in Gopalganj and Bhagwanpur in Vaishali received 8.2mm each. Ghat Kusumbha in Sheikhpura recorded 7.6mm and Pirpainti in Bhagalpur 6.6mm.
Bhabua in Kaimur recorded Bihar’s highest maximum temperature at 36.3C, while Valmikinagar in West Champaran recorded the lowest minimum temperature at 25.8C.
Rising Ganga adds to flood concerns
The Ganga’s water level has risen in Bihar following rainfall in Uttarakhand. In Patna, water from the swelling river has spilled onto roads at Mahavir Ghat.
Over the past 24 hours, the water level at Gandhi Ghat has remained 20cm above the danger mark. The danger mark is 50.45 metres at Digha and 48.60 metres at Gandhi Ghat.
In Munger, rising Ganga water has reached the sanctum sanctorum of Chandika Sthan, leaving the Shaktipeeth submerged.
In Buxar, the river is nearing the warning level, with ghats and wedding pavilions inundated.
In Khagaria, floodwaters from the rising Ganga have entered Temtha Karari panchayat in Parbatta block. Children have reportedly been forced to carry their school bags over their heads while wading through waist-deep water to reach school.
The India Meteorological Department has warned of rain across 25 districts on Sunday, with further rainfall likely to affect weather and river conditions in parts of the state.
