Patna: The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a yellow alert for rain in 19 districts of Bihar on Friday as several parts of the state continue to receive intermittent showers, even as the southwest monsoon has begun withdrawing from northwest India.
Thunderstorms accompanied by lightning and strong winds are likely in the alerted districts, while relatively normal weather conditions are expected elsewhere. Rain has continued intermittently in Patna and at least 11 other districts over the past 24 hours.
The weather has also caused casualties in different parts of the state. Three students were killed after a tree fell in Samastipur, while a woman died after a wall collapsed in Banka amid heavy rain.
Kosi water level may rise
The water level of the Kosi River is expected to rise due to heavy rainfall in Nepal, prompting the Water Resources Department to alert its engineers and authorities to step up monitoring.
Officials have warned that discharge from the Kosi Barrage could reach 5 lakh to 6 lakh cusecs by Friday. District authorities have also instructed boatmen to remain alert and urged residents living inside the embankments to move to safer and higher locations if required.
Residents in parts of Nauhatta, Mahishi, Simri Bakhtiyarpur and Salkhua blocks of Saharsa district have been advised to take necessary precautions and seek shelter at elevated and safer locations.
Public announcements are also being made to alert people about the possible rise in the river’s water level.
Tree falls on NH-31 in Patna
In Patna district, strong winds and rain led to the uprooting of a large tamarind tree in Dargahi Tola under Pandarak police station limits. The tree fell onto NH-31, disrupting traffic and causing a road jam.
Multiple weather systems driving rainfall
Weather experts said several atmospheric systems are contributing to the rainfall over Bihar.
The southwest monsoon has started withdrawing from parts of northwest India, with the withdrawal line currently extending through Gurdaspur, Chandigarh, Muzaffarnagar, Aligarh, Dholpur, Udaipur, Dausa and Naliya.
At the same time, a deep depression over the north coastal Andhra Pradesh region is moving northwestwards. It was expected to weaken into a depression by the evening of September 24 and gradually weaken further over the following 24 hours.
An upper-air western disturbance is also influencing weather conditions. The combined impact of these systems is increasing moisture and atmospheric instability, resulting in rain and thunderstorms over several parts of Bihar.
Despite the beginning of monsoon withdrawal from northwest India, the monsoon is expected to remain active over Bihar for some more time.
Rain likely in Patna
Patna has received intermittent rain over the past 24 hours, and similar conditions are expected to continue on Friday.
The IMD has forecast cloudy skies with intermittent rain in the city, with thunderstorms possible in some areas. Daytime temperatures are unlikely to rise significantly because of the rainfall.
The showers may provide temporary relief from humid conditions in Patna and adjoining areas. However, humidity could increase again after the rain subsides.
Bihar records 36% rainfall deficit
Despite the recent spell of rain, Bihar has recorded a 36% rainfall deficit during the current monsoon season.
As of September 24, the state was expected to receive around 949.4 mm of rainfall, but actual rainfall stood at approximately 612 mm, according to the weather department.
Several districts received significant rainfall during the past 24 hours. Khagaria recorded 74 mm, Katihar 67 mm, Banka 65 mm, and Patna and Munger 62 mm.
The weather department has forecast continued rainfall activity over Bihar for the next two days. Maximum temperatures are unlikely to change significantly during this period, after which temperatures may rise by 2 to 4 degrees Celsius.
Samastipur records 39 mm rain
Samastipur experienced intermittent rain accompanied by strong easterly winds during the past 24 hours, with 39 mm of rainfall recorded.
The maximum temperature in the district fell to around 25°C, while the minimum temperature was recorded at 22°C. According to the weather department of Dr Rajendra Prasad Central Agricultural University, similar weather conditions may continue for the next 24 hours.
