Bihar to Get New Meteorological Centre in Bhagalpur, Announces State Budget

Patna: The Bihar government has announced plans to establish a new Meteorological Centre in Bhagalpur, aiming to significantly enhance weather forecasting capabilities across the state. The announcement was made by Deputy Chief Minister and Finance Minister Samrat Chaudhary during the presentation of the 2025-26 budget in the Assembly on Monday.

Chaudhary highlighted the importance of accurate weather forecasting, particularly in a state prone to natural disasters like floods. He referenced the Union Cabinet’s approval of “Mission Mausam,” a Rs 2,000 crore initiative over the next two years, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, as a testament to the central government’s commitment to improving meteorological infrastructure.

“In the last 15 years, the NDA government under Chief Minister Nitish Kumar has made significant strides in establishing a robust command system and setting up meteorological centers to provide timely and accurate weather information,” Chaudhary stated. He drew a comparison between the devastating 2008 Kosi floods, which submerged Mithila, and the 2024 floods, where despite a higher water volume of 6.5 lakh cusecs, the state managed to avert a similar disaster. This, he attributed to the coordinated efforts of the Meteorological Department and the Disaster Management Department.

The Deputy CM emphasized the dual benefits of increasing the number of meteorological centers. “It will not only improve weather forecasting accuracy but also create employment opportunities,” he said. He reiterated the Bihar government’s commitment to building a comprehensive weather forecasting and disaster management system.