Patna: The India Meteorological Department has issued a yellow alert for August 16 covering 19 Bihar districts, warning of thunderstorms with lightning, 30–40km/h gusts, and spells of moderate to heavy rain in parts of the state. Districts under alert include Sitamarhi, Sheohar, Madhubani, Supaul, Araria, Kishanganj, Muzaffarpur, Darbhanga, Madhepura, Vaishali, Samastipur, Saharsa, Purnia, Khagaria, Katihar, Bhagalpur, Munger, Banka and Jamui. While roughly half of Bihar remains outside the alert zone, the weather office has indicated intermittent rain across several areas through August 19, followed by a renewed, widespread wet spell on August 20–21 with heavy rain likely in multiple districts.
Persistent rainfall has already pushed several rivers into spate, triggering localized flooding and displacement in low-lying belts. Chief Minister Nitish Kumar conducted an aerial survey of flood-affected regions and reviewed relief and rescue measures with senior officials, according to state updates.
In the 24 hours to August 14, light to moderate rain occurred in five districts, with Saharsa logging the highest at 2.1mm. Maximum temperatures rose by up to 5°C across parts of the state, with the day’s peak at 34°C in Valmikinagar (West Champaran) and the lowest at 25°C in Gayaji and Vaishali.
