Patna: Icy winds sweeping down from the mountains have intensified cold wave conditions across Bihar, even as fog briefly lifted in Patna and several other districts over the past day.
According to the India Meteorological Department, westerly winds have driven minimum temperatures sharply lower, with five districts recording lows below 6C and at least 11 districts dipping under 8C. The department issued a statewide alert for cold day conditions and dense fog on Monday, including an orange alert for 24 districts and a yellow alert for 14 others.
Meteorologists said there was little prospect of relief in the coming days. “There is no significant respite from the cold expected over the next 10 days,” an official said, adding that minimum temperatures could fall by a further 1 to 2 degrees Celsius during this period.
Dense fog over the past 24 hours reduced visibility to near zero in Samastipur, Khagaria, Begusarai and Supaul. Minimum temperatures hovered around 4C in Bhagalpur, Samastipur and Sheikhpura, underscoring the severity of the cold spell.
In response, district administrations have extended school closures to protect children. In Patna, the district magistrate ordered all schools up to Class 5 to remain closed until January 13, while classes for higher grades will be held between 10.30am and 3pm. In Supaul, schools up to Class 8 have been shut until January 13, while Munger has ordered closures up to Class 5 until January 14.
The meteorological department said maximum temperatures could rise slightly by 1 to 3 degrees Celsius over the next 24 hours, even as minimum temperatures are expected to fall by a similar margin. While fog may gradually thin during the day, officials warned that biting cold conditions would continue to dominate across the state.
