Patna: Bihar is in the grip of one of its harshest winter spells in recent years, with dense fog, biting cold and near-absent sunshine disrupting daily life across large parts of the state. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has warned that there is little prospect of relief until December 29, as cold day and fog conditions continue to dominate weather patterns from north to south Bihar.
Gaya recorded the lowest temperature in the state over the past 24 hours, with the mercury dipping to 7.8°C. Visibility in the district fell sharply to just 50 metres in the morning, the lowest reported anywhere in Bihar, prompting the IMD to declare a “severe cold day” there. Nalanda and Sheikhpura, meanwhile, experienced “cold day” conditions, while Patna and much of central Bihar remained under persistent fog and chill.
In the capital, Patna, the cold wave reached its most intense phase of the season. The maximum temperature on Tuesday was recorded at 14.5°C — 8.4 degrees below normal — while the gap between daytime and nighttime temperatures narrowed to just three degrees, a key indicator of cold day conditions. The sun failed to break through the fog for the entire day, amplifying the sense of cold. The minimum temperature stood at around 11°C, with forecasters predicting a further drop of one to four degrees over the next 24 to 48 hours.
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❄️ Bihar in deep freeze: Cold wave and dense fog grip the state, with no relief till December 29
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🌫️ Gaya worst hit: Visibility dropped to just 50 metres, making it the coldest district
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🚨 Cold day alert in 26 districts, including Patna, Nalanda, Sheikhpura
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🌡️ Patna shivers: Day temperature plunged to 14.5°C, over 8°C below normal
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🚗🚆✈️ Transport disrupted: Slow-moving vehicles, delayed trains and flights due to fog
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🌬️ Icy winds from Himalayas & Rajasthan intensifying the chill across Bihar
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🌥️ No sunshine for days, thick fog lingering morning to night
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🟠🟡 IMD alerts issued: Orange alert in North Bihar, yellow alert in South Bihar
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🐄🕊️ Animals and birds struggle as cold tightens its grip
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⚠️ IMD warns: Nights to get colder, mornings foggier in coming days
According to the IMD, cold day conditions are likely in 26 districts of the state, excluding parts of eastern Bihar. Affected areas include Patna, Gaya, Nalanda, Muzaffarpur, Buxar, Kaimur, Sitamarhi, West Champaran, Gopalganj, Darbhanga and Sheikhpura. An orange alert has been issued for several districts in north Bihar, while a yellow alert remains in place for south Bihar. Although eastern districts are not under a formal alert, fog continues to linger there as well.
Meteorologists attribute the prolonged cold to persistent westerly winds blowing in from the upper Himalayas and Rajasthan, which have enveloped Bihar and kept temperatures suppressed. Dense fog settles across the region during the night and early morning, often lingering into the day as low cloud cover, significantly reducing visibility and slowing traffic to a crawl in many areas.
Forecasts suggest that cold day conditions will continue across Bihar between December 24 and 27. While maximum temperatures may rise marginally during this period, minimum temperatures are expected to fall by two to four degrees, intensifying the cold during nights and early mornings. Dense fog is likely to persist on December 25 and 26, further compounding disruptions.
The severe weather has already taken a toll on normal life. Vehicles are moving at reduced speeds, train and flight schedules have been affected, and public spaces appear deserted. Animals and birds are also seen huddling for warmth in open areas, underscoring the intensity of the cold spell.
With no immediate respite in sight, the IMD has advised residents to remain cautious, particularly during early morning and late evening hours, as Bihar braces for several more days of severe cold and fog.
