Patna: The monsoon remains active in Bihar, although rainfall activity has weakened in several parts of the state. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecast rain in 24 districts on Monday, August 24, with an orange alert issued for five districts for heavy rainfall.
Weather conditions are expected to remain comparatively normal in 14 other districts. In Patna, cloudy skies are likely, with light rain possible in some areas. The weather department has forecast continued rainfall activity in Bihar until August 29, along with winds reaching speeds of 40-50 kmph in some areas.
Bihar has so far received around 42% less rainfall than normal this monsoon. Against the expected 710.9 mm of rainfall up to August 23, the state has recorded only 414.1 mm, leaving a deficit of about 296.8 mm.
Ganga water level continues to rise
The rising water levels of the Ganga and Kosi rivers have added to concerns over flooding in several parts of Bihar.
Bihar Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary spoke to West Bengal Chief Minister Shubhendu Adhikari over the phone on Sunday and urged him to open all the gates of the Farakka Barrage to facilitate the flow of the Ganga and help control the flood situation. Adhikari assured Choudhary of prompt action, according to reports.
The Bihar Chief Minister’s Office currently identifies Samrat Choudhary as the state’s Chief Minister.
Heavy rain reported in several districts
Several parts of Bihar received heavy rain during the past 24 hours. Jamui, Katihar, Lakhisarai, Bettiah, Nalanda, Supaul, Begusarai and Gopalganj recorded heavy rainfall on Sunday.
In Nalanda, around half an hour of heavy rain led to severe waterlogging on roads in Bihar Sharif. Water reportedly accumulated to nearly two feet in some areas. The rainfall also brought relief from the humid conditions.
Patna and several other districts remained under cloudy skies during the day.
Meanwhile, the Ganga is flowing at high levels in Buxar, Begusarai, Munger and Patna. In Buxar, the river has crossed the warning level and is nearing the danger mark. The water level is reportedly rising by around one centimetre every two hours.
In Patna City, floodwater has reached areas around Bhadra Ghat and Mahavir Ghat Lane. In Munger, rising Ganga water has entered the Chandika Sthan temple premises, while several river ghats have been submerged.
Flooding in Begusarai has also disrupted access to cremation grounds, with boats being used to transport bodies in some areas.
Weather forecast for August 25
Rain is likely in several districts on Tuesday, August 25, including Jehanabad, East Champaran, West Champaran, Gaya, Buxar, Siwan, Bhojpur, Vaishali, Muzaffarpur, Samastipur, Darbhanga, Madhubani, Purnia, Saharsa, Supaul, Araria, Kishanganj, Katihar, Khagaria and Begusarai.
Heavy rain warning for August 26
The weather department has forecast heavy to very heavy rainfall in parts of south Bihar on Wednesday, August 26.
Gaya, Nawada and Aurangabad are likely to receive heavy rainfall. Unsettled weather is also expected in Patna, Muzaffarpur, Samastipur, Darbhanga, Motihari, Chhapra, Ara and adjoining areas.
An orange alert has been issued for 11 districts, while 15 districts are under a yellow alert for thunderstorms and lightning.
Why is Bihar facing a 42% rainfall deficit?
Weather experts attribute Bihar’s rainfall deficit to the uneven distribution of monsoon activity across the state.
According to meteorological assessments, fewer effective low-pressure systems developed over the region, while some systems originating in the Bay of Bengal either remained weak or moved along tracks that did not bring sustained rainfall to Bihar.
Low-pressure systems developing over the Bay of Bengal play an important role in driving monsoon rainfall across eastern and central India. Their weak intensity or movement away from Bihar can reduce both the geographical coverage and duration of rainfall.
The broader monsoon season has also been marked by significant regional variations in rainfall, contributing to weaker rainfall activity in some parts of the country.
New low-pressure area likely over Bay of Bengal
The IMD has indicated that monsoon activity is likely to remain strong over several parts of the country. A weather system over northeast Madhya Pradesh, along with a developing system over the Bay of Bengal, is expected to influence rainfall over central and eastern India.
Meteorologists have forecast the formation of a new low-pressure area over the north Bay of Bengal and adjoining coastal areas of West Bengal and Bangladesh within the next 24 hours.
The system could strengthen monsoon activity over Bihar and neighbouring eastern and central Indian states in the coming days.
