Patna: Residents of Patna and several other districts in Bihar woke to bright sunshine on Saturday, a welcome break after nearly four weeks of persistent fog and harsh cold. Meteorologists, however, cautioned that the improvement would be brief, with colder conditions and dense fog likely to return by mid-January.
According to the Patna meteorological centre, Bihar is expected to see marginal relief from the cold over the next 48 hours, as daytime sunshine pushes temperatures slightly higher and eases the chill. From January 10 to 12, clear skies are forecast during the day, offering temporary respite from foggy conditions that have disrupted daily life across the state.
“The sunny spell will be short-lived,” a meteorologist at the centre said. “From January 13 onwards, fog is likely to return for three to four days, and both maximum and minimum temperatures are expected to fall again.”
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The cold wave has already tightened its grip on large parts of the state. Nalanda recorded the lowest minimum temperature at 3.1C, the coldest in Bihar so far this season. Temperatures dipped below 5C in at least 12 districts, including the capital.
Saturday night was the coldest of the season for several districts. After Nalanda, Sheikhpura recorded a minimum of 3.2C. The mercury fell to 4.1C in Patna, 4.2C in Nawada and Buxar, 4.4C in Arwal, 4.6C in Rohtas and Munger, 4.7C in Bhojpur and Jehanabad, and 4.8C in Lakhisarai.
The India Meteorological Department has issued an orange alert for cold wave conditions and dense fog in 31 districts, warning that temperatures could drop by another one to two degrees over the next two days.
Meteorologists attributed the continuing cold to an active western disturbance over north India, which has triggered snowfall in the Himalayan region. Cold north-westerly winds are sweeping into Bihar, causing sharp nighttime cooling and sustaining cold conditions during the day, even when the sun appears.
In Patna, where the minimum temperature stood at 4.1C, officials said the daytime sunshine was unlikely to bring significant relief. Cold day conditions are expected to persist in the capital for at least the next 48 hours, before fog and colder nights return later in the week.
