Patna: Bihar continues to reel under severe winter conditions as cold day conditions persist across large parts of the state. Temperatures in four districts have dropped below 8 degrees Celsius, while the India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued an orange alert for cold day conditions in five districts for today. A yellow alert for dense fog has also been issued in seven districts.
According to the weather department, cold winds are likely to blow throughout the day in the alert districts, keeping temperatures significantly below normal. The lowest minimum temperature recorded in the state so far is 6 degrees Celsius.
Dense fog is expected to be more intense during early mornings and late nights in seven districts, with visibility likely to drop below 10 metres at several locations. Other parts of the state may witness light fog.
Over the past 24 hours, Patna, Nalanda, Aurangabad and Chhapra experienced dense fog. Nalanda reported visibility of less than 20 metres, while Rajgir recorded the lowest minimum temperature in the state at 6.6 degrees Celsius.
Severe impact on visibility and transport
The Meteorological Centre has warned that visibility may remain extremely poor during morning and late-night hours in the alert districts, affecting road and rail traffic. People have been advised to remain cautious while travelling amid fog and cold winds.
Rail services have been badly hit due to dense fog. Several Rajdhani Express trains passing through or originating from Patna are running one to ten hours behind schedule. Trains capable of running at speeds of up to 130 kmph have been restricted to around 70 kmph between Kanpur and Delhi. Other express and local trains are also delayed by one to six hours, causing inconvenience to passengers waiting at platforms in cold conditions.
Air traffic has also been affected. As many as 38 flights at Patna airport were delayed on Monday due to poor weather, with arrivals and departures running one to two-and-a-half hours late. Passengers who reached the airport on time were forced to wait longer, leading to crowding at the terminal.
Jet stream behind sharp temperature drop
Weather scientists have attributed the sharp fall in temperatures to an active jet stream in the upper atmosphere at an altitude of around 9 to 16 kilometres. This has allowed cold air to penetrate directly into the plains, leading to a rapid dip in both minimum and maximum temperatures across Bihar.
Large parts of the state have not received sunlight for the past two to three days. Persistent fog and haze throughout the day have caused a significant drop in maximum temperatures. The maximum temperature across the state is hovering around 16 degrees Celsius, which is about 6.4 degrees below normal.
The minimum temperature in most districts has been recorded between 8 and 11 degrees Celsius. With very little difference between day and night temperatures, people are experiencing continuous chill throughout the day.
Warning issued till December 27
The Patna Meteorological Centre has issued a warning till December 27, stating that dense fog and cold day conditions are likely to persist in most districts of Bihar. On December 23, dense fog is expected at isolated places in northern and south-western districts. Over the next three days, light to moderate fog may continue at several locations.
Patna itself remains under an orange alert for cold day conditions. The capital is expected to witness dense fog and cold winds over the next few days, with poor visibility during mornings and nights. Even during the daytime, chances of sunshine remain low.
People have been advised to take necessary precautions, especially while travelling, as cold wave conditions, dense fog, and reduced visibility continue to affect normal life across Bihar.
