Patna: Intermittent rain continued across several parts of Bihar on Saturday as the southwest monsoon remained active, bringing widespread showers, thunderstorms and lightning to many districts. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued an Orange Alert for 26 districts, warning of heavy rainfall, gusty winds and lightning.
Rain has been reported since morning in Patna, Banka, Buxar, Khagaria, Madhubani, Jehanabad, Bagaha and Begusarai. In Begusarai, continuous rainfall has caused waterlogging in several localities.
So, what is causing the prolonged spell of wet weather, and how long is it expected to last?
Why Is Bihar Receiving So Much Rain?
According to the IMD, the current weather is being driven by an active monsoon trough stretching across the region.
At the same time, strong easterly winds carrying moisture from the Bay of Bengal are continuously feeding the weather system over Bihar.
The interaction of these two systems has increased atmospheric moisture, leading to rapid cloud formation and frequent spells of rain accompanied by thunderstorms and lightning.
Which Areas Are Under Alert?
The IMD has placed 26 districts under an Orange Alert for Saturday.
These districts are likely to experience heavy rainfall, thunderstorms, lightning and wind speeds of up to 40 kmph.
In the remaining 12 districts, cloudy skies are expected to persist, with high humidity likely to make weather conditions uncomfortable despite lower temperatures.
— Mausam Bihar- IMD Patna (@imd_patna) July 11, 2026
What Happened During The Past 24 Hours?
According to the Meteorological Department, rainfall was recorded in 13 districts during the previous 24 hours, including Patna and Purnia.
West Champaran received extremely heavy rainfall, while Gopalganj, Vaishali, Purnia and Madhepura recorded comparatively higher rainfall than most other districts, which received only light precipitation.
The adverse weather also proved fatal in Saharsa, where a woman and a minor lost their lives in separate lightning incidents.
Authorities have advised people to avoid open fields, tall trees and electricity poles during thunderstorms.
What Is The Forecast For Patna?
Patna is expected to remain under cloudy skies throughout the day, with light to moderate rainfall likely in several parts of the city.
The IMD has also forecast thunderstorms and gusty winds reaching up to 40 kmph.
Although rainfall may bring down daytime temperatures slightly, humidity levels are expected to remain high, meaning muggy conditions are likely to persist.
How Long Will The Rain Continue?
Meteorologists expect the current weather pattern to continue for at least the next 24 to 48 hours.
While the active monsoon trough is producing widespread rainfall across North Bihar, monsoon winds remain comparatively weaker over South and Central Bihar, resulting in variations in rainfall intensity across the state.
The IMD has advised residents to remain alert, monitor official weather updates and seek shelter inside concrete buildings during lightning or thunderstorms.
