Heavy Rain Lashes Parts of Bihar, One Dead in Bettiah; IMD Predicts More Rain, Thunderstorms Ahead
Patna: Heavy rainfall, thunderstorms, and strong winds swept across parts of Bihar on Saturday morning, with localized weather extremes highlighting the state’s ongoing pre-monsoon turbulence. While Raxaul and Madhubani received significant rainfall, districts like Jehanabad remained cloudy with chilly winds. In Motihari, strong winds and a light drizzle marked the morning.
Meanwhile, in Bettiah, a storm accompanied by rain on Friday night led to the collapse of an electricity pole, resulting in the tragic death of one person.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued an alert for heavy rain, thunderstorms, and lightning across 10 districts in the coming days, with wind speeds expected to reach up to 40 km/h.
Heat and Humidity Persist in Southern Bihar
Despite cloud cover, areas like Patna are not expected to get much relief from the heat today. While light evening showers are possible, high humidity and maximum temperatures ranging between 38°C and 40°C are likely to persist in nine districts, including Gaya. The easterly winds are contributing to the humid conditions in these regions.
Monsoon Expected Between June 13–15, Higher Rainfall Predicted
According to IMD officials, the monsoon is expected to arrive in Bihar between June 13 and 15. This year, the state could witness 11% more rainfall than normal, with projections estimating 1137 mm, compared to the usual 1024.3 mm.
Last 24 Hours: Weather Mixed Across State
In the past 24 hours, Aurangabad experienced rain with strong winds, while districts such as Patna, Rohtas, and Motihari reported clear skies and high temperatures.
Rohtas was the hottest district on Thursday, recording a maximum temperature of 39.2°C, while Banka remained relatively cooler at 33.1°C.
Forecast for June 1–3: Rain, Thunderstorms Likely
Between June 1 and 3, Patna and surrounding areas are likely to experience rain, thunderstorms, and gusty winds blowing at 30–40 km/h, according to the Met Department.
Temperature Fluctuations Raise Health Concerns
Ashish Kumar, Director of the Patna Meteorological Centre, noted that temperature fluctuations of up to 10 degrees Celsius within 24 hours are being observed, increasing the risk of viral infections.
Dr. Rajiv Kumar Singh of PMCH confirmed a rise in viral illness cases, including fever, cough, cold, joint pain, and dehydration. He advised residents to stay hydrated and avoid sun exposure during peak hours.
Why Bihar’s Weather Is Split
Meteorologists attribute the contrasting weather across Bihar to atmospheric imbalance. While moist easterly winds from the Bay of Bengal are causing cloud formation and rain in North and East Bihar, dry westerly winds in South and West Bihar are leading to high heat and humidity.
A local low-pressure area in some eastern districts is pulling in additional moisture, intensifying rain activity there. Meanwhile, clear skies and direct sunlight are pushing temperatures towards 40°C in unaffected regions.
These pre-monsoon conditions are causing uneven weather patterns, but normalcy is expected once the monsoon arrives and spreads uniformly across the state.
3 Key Reasons for Expected Increase in Rainfall
- Neutral El Niño effect – No disruption to monsoon patterns.
- Favorable Indian Ocean temperature – Supports active monsoon.
- Supportive global climatic conditions – Enhance rainfall probability.
