Bihar Braces for Increased August Rainfall but Deficits from June and July Remain

Patna: August is set to bring more rainfall to Bihar compared to June and July, yet it is unlikely to fully compensate for the deficits of the previous months. The state experienced a significant shortfall in rainfall, with June seeing 52% less and July 29% less than the average, resulting in a cumulative deficit of 37% from June 1 to July 31.

Districts such as Purnia, Kishanganj, Araria, Buxar, Bhojpur, Rohtas, Bhabua, Aurangabad, and Arwal are expected to receive above-normal rainfall in August. However, the rest of Bihar may continue to experience below-normal precipitation.

In July, Kishanganj received the highest rainfall in the state, recording 493 mm, which is still 15% below its normal of 597.4 mm. In contrast, Darbhanga saw the least rainfall at 128.2 mm, a stark 59% below normal. Arwal was a rare exception, with 292.5 mm of rainfall, 3% above its usual 284.7 mm.

Gopalganj recorded the highest average maximum temperature in Bihar for July at 36.4 degrees Celsius. Patna experienced its highest temperature of the month at 37.6 degrees on July 29, and the lowest at 25.6 degrees on July 7. The city’s average maximum temperature for July was 34.8 degrees, with an average minimum of 28.5 degrees.

From 2020 to 2024, Valmikinagar recorded its highest July rainfall this year at 559.7 mm, benefiting from its proximity to Nepal’s Terai region. Conversely, Bhagalpur experienced its lowest July rainfall in five years, with just 40.6 mm in July 2022. Patna recorded 167 mm of rain this July.