Patna: Winter has tightened its grip on Bihar, with temperatures dipping sharply across the state. The minimum temperature has fallen close to 8 degrees Celsius in several districts, increasing chill during late evening and early morning hours. Meteorologists attribute the rising cold to westerly winds blowing at speeds of up to 30 km/h.
Foggy conditions returned on Sunday morning, reducing visibility and impacting transportation. Bettiah experienced dense fog in the last 24 hours, while Patna also reported fog during the early hours. Sheikhpura remained the coldest district, recording a minimum temperature of 8.4°C.
Train delays and cancellations across Bihar
Thick fog has led to major disruptions in rail services. At Patna Junction alone, seven trains were delayed, four cancelled and one rescheduled on Sunday, affecting thousands of passengers.
According to railway authorities:
• Kolkata–Ghazipur City Express – delayed by 2.5 hours
• Shramjeevi Express (New Delhi–Rajgir) – 43 minutes late
• Jhajha–Danapur Fast Passenger – 1.5 hours late
• Vibhuti Express (Howrah–Prayagraj) – running over 5 hours late for the third day
• Poorva Express (New Delhi–Howrah) – delayed by 38 minutes
• South Bihar Express (Durg–Ara) – 4.5 hours late
• Dibrugarh–Lokmanya Tilak Express – 4 hours 15 minutes late
Multiple trains to Delhi have been cancelled due to visibility issues. These include:
• Upasana Express – cancelled on December 8
• North East Express – cancelled on December 8 and 10
• Mahananda Express – cancelled on December 11, 14 and 18
• New Delhi–Malda Town Express – cancelled today
Meanwhile, the Patna–Howrah Vande Bharat Express has been rescheduled for the second straight day, now departing at 9 am instead of 8 am.
Weather outlook: No cold wave expected this week
The Patna Meteorological Centre has forecast stable weather for the next seven days. No rain is expected in Bihar until December 13. While maximum temperatures may remain slightly above normal, the night cold is likely to intensify.
Despite the chill, officials have ruled out any cold wave conditions during this period.
Patna weather update
The state capital is feeling the dip in temperatures due to the prevailing westerly winds. The minimum temperature is likely to hover around 10°C over the next 24 hours. Morning and evening hours will remain chilly, and daytime temperatures may be up to 2°C below normal.
Impact of weather changes
• Increased cold during morning and evening
• Light sunshine and pleasant afternoons
• Fog likely to worsen in the next 48 hours
• No risk to Rabi crops; conditions favourable for farming
