Patna: Pre-monsoon activity has intensified across Bihar, bringing thunderstorms, heavy rain, lightning and hailstorms to several districts of the state. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a yellow alert for 19 districts and a red alert for nine districts, warning of severe weather conditions over the next few days.
Rainfall was reported in Kishanganj on Sunday morning, while several other districts witnessed cloudy skies and intermittent showers. According to the Meteorological Centre in Patna, unstable weather conditions are expected to persist across Bihar until May 14, with thunderstorms and rain likely to continue in many areas.
The IMD has issued red warnings for Banka, Jamui, Jehanabad, Lakhisarai, Munger, Nalanda, Nawada and Sheikhpura districts, warning of intense thunderstorm activity, lightning, rainfall and possible hailstorms. Wind speeds in these districts may reach 60 to 70 kmph.
Several blocks in Gaya and Nawada districts are also under red alert for the next two to three hours, with forecasts of severe thunderstorm activity accompanied by strong winds, lightning and hail.
In the past 24 hours, heavy rain accompanied by strong winds and hailstorms was reported in Nalanda and Sheikhpura. Aurangabad also received rainfall, while Patna and nearby districts remained partly cloudy. However, districts such as Buxar and Jamui experienced bright sunshine during parts of the day.
The changing weather pattern has brought relief from the intense summer heat. Patna recorded a maximum temperature of 32.6 degrees Celsius on Saturday, around 3 to 4 degrees below normal. The minimum temperature in the capital remained close to 22 degrees Celsius.
According to the weather department, Bihar recorded an average rainfall of 109.2 mm in the last 24 hours, against the normal average of 36.2 mm for this period — an increase of 202 percent above normal rainfall.
Districts including Muzaffarpur, Darbhanga, Samastipur, Madhubani, Madhepura, Saharsa, Purnia, Katihar, Bhagalpur, Banka, Munger and Patna received significantly higher-than-normal rainfall. Meanwhile, West Champaran, Gopalganj, East Champaran, Vaishali and Kishanganj recorded below-normal rainfall.
Meteorologists attributed the sudden change in weather to multiple atmospheric systems active over eastern India. An upper air cyclonic circulation over eastern Bihar and adjoining regions has shifted towards the sub-Himalayan region of West Bengal. Another cyclonic circulation persists over western Uttar Pradesh, while a trough line extending from eastern Rajasthan to Jharkhand has increased moisture and atmospheric instability across Bihar.
Moist winds from the Bay of Bengal are also contributing to the rapid development of thunderclouds, leading to increased thunderstorm and hailstorm activity in the state.
The IMD has ruled out heatwave conditions in Bihar for now.
Patna Weather Forecast for Next Four Days:
- May 10: Rain and thunderstorms likely
- May 11: Cloudy skies with chances of rain
- May 12: One or two spells of rain expected
- May 13: Generally cloudy sky with isolated rainfall possible
Due to the storm-related damage, the Patna Zoo will remain closed for visitors on Sunday and Monday. Zoo Director Hemant Patil said dozens of trees had fallen inside the premises following Friday’s storm and rain. More than 200 workers have been deployed to clear debris with the help of hydra cranes and JCB machines. Some branches reportedly fell inside animal enclosures, though no animal injuries were reported.
The storm also affected electricity supply in Patna. According to the Disaster Management Department, restoration work continued on Saturday in areas including Gaighat, Kankarbagh, Harding Road, Haj Bhavan, Museum area, Secretariat, Gardanibagh, Airport and Bailey Road after uprooting of trees disrupted traffic and damaged power lines.
PESU General Manager Dilip Kumar Singh said electricity supply was restored through alternative arrangements by late Friday night. Repair work, including transformer replacement and fixing damaged power lines, was carried out at 15 locations on Saturday.
The weather department has advised people to avoid standing in open fields, under trees or near electric poles during thunderstorms and lightning activity. Residents have also been urged to avoid unnecessary travel during severe weather conditions.
Farmers have been advised to monitor weather forecasts before carrying out agricultural work and ensure proper drainage arrangements in fields to protect crops from waterlogging.
The highest maximum temperature in the state was recorded in Kaimur (Bhabua) at 39 degrees Celsius, while Madhepura recorded the lowest minimum temperature at 19.5 degrees Celsius. Authorities said the drop in daytime temperatures across several districts has provided significant relief from the heat.
