Patna: A sudden shift in weather has brought relief from intense heat across Bihar, with the India Meteorological Department (IMD) issuing storm and rainfall alerts for 36 districts. Authorities have placed 14 districts under an orange alert and 24 under a yellow alert, warning of thunderstorms, lightning, and gusty winds.
According to the IMD, the current spell of unstable weather is likely to continue till April 30. Wind speeds may reach up to 50 kmph during this period. The department has also forecast a drop in temperatures by 3 to 5 degrees Celsius over the next two to three days, offering temporary respite from the ongoing heatwave conditions. However, temperatures are expected to rise again from May 1, with the possibility of heatwave conditions returning in several districts.
In the past 24 hours, Kaimur recorded the highest temperature in the state at 41.4°C, followed by Dehri at 41.0°C. In contrast, Patna recorded a significantly lower maximum temperature of 33.0°C, down from over 40°C recorded just two days ago.
The changing weather has already led to incidents across the state. In Araria, strong winds uprooted trees, causing one to fall on a house. A wall collapse in the incident led to the death of an elderly woman. In Samastipur, a gulmohar tree near the SP residence fell onto the road following a storm, disrupting traffic. Meanwhile, in Bihar Sharif in Nalanda district, strong winds caused a palm tree to bend, while cooler हवा provided relief to residents.
Rainfall in border areas of the state has brought down temperatures slightly, with intermittent cool winds easing discomfort caused by harsh sunlight. However, the adverse weather has also turned fatal, with at least five people losing their lives due to thunderstorms and lightning strikes across different districts. Additionally, a woman had died due to extreme heat just two days earlier.
The IMD has predicted rainfall accompanied by thunder and lightning in several parts of the state on Tuesday. Patna is likely to witness cloudy skies, gusty winds, and light rain, with temperatures expected to remain below normal. A drop of 2 to 3 degrees Celsius is anticipated, though humidity levels may remain high.
In North Bihar, districts including Kishanganj, Araria, Purnia, and Supaul are expected to experience thunderstorms, lightning, and rainfall over the next 48 hours. These conditions are likely to persist until April 30.
Meteorologists attribute the dual weather pattern in Bihar to the combined influence of a western disturbance and moisture incursion from the Bay of Bengal. Higher moisture levels in northern districts are increasing the likelihood of intense rainfall and lightning, prompting the orange alert. In contrast, southern and central regions are expected to receive light to moderate rainfall, leading to a yellow alert classification.
Meanwhile, local administrations have begun taking precautionary measures. In Aurangabad, district authorities have revised school timings for classes up to Grade 5, restricting operations till 11 am from April 28 to May 30 due to weather conditions.
Across districts such as Katihar, Begusarai, Motihari, and Nalanda, cloudy skies and intermittent cool winds were reported on Tuesday morning, bringing temporary relief from the heat. However, officials have advised residents to remain cautious, especially due to the risk of lightning strikes and sudden weather changes.
The IMD continues to monitor the situation and has urged citizens to follow safety advisories as Bihar experiences fluctuating weather conditions over the coming days.
