Patna: Cold conditions have intensified across Bihar, with dense fog enveloping several districts including Nalanda, Gopalganj and Chhapra, disrupting daily life and transport services. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a yellow alert for fog in 19 districts, warning that the current weather system, active since Thursday, is likely to persist till December 23.
In view of the rising cold, the Patna District Magistrate has revised school timings. All schools in the district will now operate from 9 am to 4.30 pm between December 19 and 25.
However, classes with pre-board or board examinations will continue as per their usual schedule. In Saran district, authorities have ordered the closure of schools from Class 1 to Class 10 till December 21 due to severe weather conditions.
The IMD has also warned of a possible cold wave from December 21 onwards. A red alert for dense fog has been issued in 26 districts, including Patna, for the next 24 hours, while the remaining districts are under an orange alert. Officials said cold winds combined with fog could further reduce visibility, especially during early morning and late night hours.
Transport services have been badly affected. On Thursday, at least 14 trains were delayed, while eight flights were cancelled due to poor visibility. As many as 34 flights operated behind schedule, causing inconvenience to passengers at Patna airport.
The impact of cold and air pollution is also being felt in hospitals. On Thursday alone, around 350 patients affected by cold and pollution reported to IGIMS, 250 to PMCH, 130 to New Gardiner Road Hospital and 110 to IGIC. IGIMS Superintendent Dr Manish Mandal said a total of 3,974 patients visited the OPD, with nearly 40 percent suffering from ailments linked to cold weather and pollution. Children and the elderly are the most affected, doctors said.
Fog-related accidents were reported from multiple districts. In Gopalganj, two buses and a truck collided due to low visibility, killing the truck driver and injuring several others. In Chhapra, a bus rammed into three vehicles amid dense fog. In Gaya, Deputy Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary’s helicopter could not take off due to poor visibility caused by thick fog.
According to official data, Sabour in Bhagalpur district recorded the lowest temperature in the state over the last 24 hours at 9.9 degrees Celsius. Meteorologists said the minimum temperature across Bihar is hovering around 10 degrees Celsius, and cold conditions are expected to intensify during mornings and nights.
Weather experts attributed the prevailing conditions to favourable factors for fog formation, including westerly winds, high moisture levels near the ground and calm or slow wind speeds. These factors are likely to keep visibility extremely low during morning hours, posing risks for commuters.
The IMD has forecast very cold conditions over the next seven days, with foggy mornings and nights and occasional sunshine during the day. While no sharp temperature fluctuations are expected, a gradual increase in cold is likely.
From December 21 to 22, an orange alert for fog has been issued in 26 districts, including West and East Champaran, Gopalganj, Siwan, Saran, Muzaffarpur, Patna, Nalanda, Gaya and Aurangabad, among others.
