Patna: Bihar is in the grip of severe cold and dense fog, significantly affecting daily life across the state. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) on Sunday issued an Orange Alert for all 38 districts, warning of dense fog and cold day conditions.
Patna emerged as the coldest city in the state, with a sharp narrowing of just 3.6 degrees Celsius between the minimum and maximum temperatures. While the state’s highest maximum temperature of 20.6 degrees Celsius was recorded in Dehri and Banka, these areas also reported a minimum of 11.5 degrees Celsius. In contrast, Sabour in Bhagalpur district recorded the lowest minimum temperature at 6.4 degrees Celsius.
According to the IMD, the cold spell is set to intensify further, with cold wave conditions expected to gradually set in. The biting cold is likely to persist till January 10, increasing discomfort for residents, especially during mornings and evenings.
The harsh weather has also impacted road safety. In Jamui’s Khaira market, a bus carrying pilgrims collided with a truck on Sunday morning. All passengers were reported safe, though a few sustained minor injuries. Dense fog is believed to have reduced visibility at the time of the accident.
Cold Westerly Winds Intensify Chill
Meteorologists attribute the sharp drop in temperatures to snowfall in the upper Himalayan region and the influx of cold westerly winds from Rajasthan. These winds have led to a continuous fall in temperatures across Bihar, with higher wind speeds worsening the chill and making it difficult for people to step outdoors.
On Saturday, Patna witnessed no sunshine throughout the day. The maximum temperature plunged from 19.6 degrees Celsius on Friday to 14.4 degrees Celsius, while the minimum temperature rose slightly by 1.8 degrees to 10.8 degrees Celsius. The persistent cold has caused severe discomfort, particularly for children and the elderly.
In view of the prevailing conditions, Patna District Magistrate Dr Tyagarajan SM ordered the closure of all government and private schools up to Class 8, including pre-schools and anganwadi centres, till January 8.
Health Concerns Rise Amid Cold Wave
The extreme cold has led to a surge in health emergencies in the state capital. Major hospitals in Patna are reporting a sharp increase in heart attack, brain haemorrhage and COPD cases. ICUs, HDUs and emergency wards are operating at full capacity, forcing some critical patients to seek treatment in private hospitals.
At PMCH and IGIMS, patients are reportedly being treated on trolleys in corridors and halls due to overcrowding. Medical experts say cases of heart attack and brain haemorrhage have risen by nearly 30 percent. IGIMS Superintendent Dr Manish Mandal said 15 patients suffering from these conditions have died in the past three days, while 25 others are undergoing treatment. At IGIC, Dr Amitabh reported over 120 admissions in the last three days, with more than 10 deaths.
Doctors explained that low temperatures cause blood vessels to constrict, leading to a sudden rise in blood pressure, which can trigger strokes or heart failure. The demand for home-care medical equipment has also surged by around 50 percent, resulting in shortages in the market.
Cold Day Conditions in 25 Districts
Dense fog blanketed Patna and large parts of southwest and north Bihar till 9 am on Sunday. Combined with strong westerly winds, the cold intensified, and several areas did not witness sunlight throughout the day. As a result, cold day conditions prevailed in at least 25 districts.
Visibility dropped drastically in several regions, with Forbesganj recording the lowest visibility at just 50 metres due to dense fog.
What is a Cold Day and Cold Wave?
A cold day is declared when the daytime maximum temperature falls significantly below normal and sunshine is absent. As per IMD norms, a maximum temperature of 16 degrees Celsius or below qualifies as a cold day.
A cold wave, on the other hand, occurs when the night-time minimum temperature drops sharply—either to 4 degrees Celsius or below, or by 4 to 6 degrees below normal—leading to extremely cold nights and heightened chill during mornings and evenings.
The weather department has cautioned that similar conditions are likely to continue over the next few days, urging people to take precautions against the biting cold and dense fog.
