Patna: Severe cold continues to grip Bihar, with no immediate relief in sight as cold north-westerly winds sweep across the state. The reduced gap between maximum and minimum temperatures is intensifying the chill, making it equally biting during the day and night.
The Patna Meteorological Centre has forecast that current conditions will persist for the next three days, with minimum temperatures expected to rise slightly by 2–3°C afterward. However, dense fog is likely to blanket much of the state, especially in the north-central, north-eastern, and south-eastern districts, reducing visibility to 150–200 meters.
Cold day-like conditions prevailed in Patna, Gaya, Bhagalpur, and Purnia on Wednesday, with Chhapra registering the lowest minimum temperature at 9.4°C for the second consecutive day. The Met Office has issued a dense fog alert for 18 districts, including Sitamarhi, Madhubani, Muzaffarpur, Darbhanga, Vaishali, and Kishanganj, with visibility disruptions impacting travel. The Railways has already canceled three pairs of special trains passing through Bihar due to poor visibility.
A new western disturbance is expected to arrive on January 10, potentially influencing weather patterns in northwest India and exacerbating the cold conditions. Currently, a trough at 5.8 km above sea level and a cyclonic circulation at 0.9 km above sea level in Uttar Pradesh are contributing to the severe cold in Bihar.
The minimum temperature across Bihar, including Patna, is predicted to stay between 10–12°C until January 14, while maximum temperatures in southeastern Bihar may range from 20–22°C.
Meteorologists warn that cold days pose greater risks than cold waves due to the smaller difference between maximum and minimum temperatures, intensifying the cold. Prolonged exposure to such conditions can lead to health issues, including heart attacks, brain strokes, and pneumonia. While cold waves often feature foggy mornings followed by sunny afternoons, the persistent chill and dense fog during cold days make the conditions more hazardous.
Authorities are urging residents to take precautions and limit outdoor activities during peak cold hours to safeguard against the harsh weather.
