Patna: Bihar continued to reel under intense heat on Monday as the India Meteorological Department (IMD) issued an Orange Alert for heatwave conditions in 14 districts across the state. Residents in several parts of Bihar are expected to face severe heat, high humidity and hot winds, while another 13 districts remain under an Orange Alert for thunderstorms, rain and lightning.
According to the weather department, winds reaching speeds of up to 50 kmph may lash several districts, accompanied by thunderstorms, heavy rainfall and lightning strikes.
On Sunday, temperatures in nine districts crossed the 40-degree Celsius mark. Dehri in Rohtas district recorded the highest maximum temperature in the state at 44.8 degrees Celsius, highlighting the severity of the ongoing heatwave.
Meteorologists said Bihar is currently witnessing two contrasting weather systems simultaneously. Moisture-laden winds from the Bay of Bengal are reaching north and eastern Bihar, leading to cloud formation, thunderstorms and rainfall activity in those regions.
At the same time, dry and hot westerly winds continue to dominate south-west Bihar. Hot air flowing from Jharkhand and eastern Uttar Pradesh is further increasing temperatures in Magadh and Shahabad regions. As a result, while some districts are receiving rainfall, others continue to experience heatwave-like conditions.
The IMD has warned that severe heatwave conditions may persist in eight districts of south and west Bihar. People have been advised to avoid stepping outdoors between 12 noon and 4 PM unless necessary. Children, senior citizens and people with health issues have been urged to take extra precautions.
Weather officials said there is little possibility of immediate relief from the scorching heat in southern and western parts of Bihar. Heatwave conditions are likely to continue between May 28 and May 30, with temperatures in some areas expected to touch 44 to 45 degrees Celsius.
However, residents of north and eastern Bihar may get intermittent relief due to thunderstorms and gusty winds over the coming days.
In Patna, Monday’s weather is expected to remain hot and humid, with the maximum temperature likely to hover between 40 and 41 degrees Celsius. Light cloud cover and breezy conditions may develop during the evening hours.
Meanwhile, authorities in Muzaffarpur shifted court operations to morning hours due to the rising heat. Court proceedings began at 7 AM on Monday. The district recorded a maximum temperature of 36.5 degrees Celsius on Sunday, which was above normal, while the minimum temperature settled at 23.5 degrees Celsius.
The weather department has also predicted rainfall in Muzaffarpur and Samastipur later in the day. In Nalanda, the temperature was around 32 degrees Celsius in the morning, with the maximum expected to reach 40 degrees Celsius. Khagaria witnessed cloudy skies since early morning, bringing slight relief from the heat, and light rainfall is likely there as well.
Doctors have also cautioned people against heat-related health problems, including dehydration, indigestion and acidity, which tend to rise sharply during extreme summer conditions. Citizens have been advised to stay hydrated, avoid oily and spicy food, and limit outdoor exposure during peak afternoon hours.
