Patna: Humid air sweeping in from the Bay of Bengal is triggering a spell of turbulent weather across Bihar, with the Patna Meteorological Centre forecasting thunderstorms, lightning, and strong winds in large swathes of the state over the coming days.
A yellow alert has been issued for 24 districts across northern and south-eastern Bihar, including the capital, Patna. The warning, which remains in place until April 16, comes amid concerns that the current weather pattern—marked by the collision of hot and cold air masses—could lead to localised hailstorms and wind speeds reaching up to 80 km/h.
According to the Met department, the unstable atmospheric conditions are the result of moist easterly winds from the Bay of Bengal pushing across Bihar into the Himalayan foothills and parts of neighbouring Uttar Pradesh. The ensuing clash between air systems has brought with it a thick cloud cover and a sharp uptick in convective activity, increasing the likelihood of sudden, intense weather events.
Over the past 24 hours, Valmiki Nagar in West Champaran recorded 3.0 mm of rainfall—the only significant precipitation reported across the state. Elsewhere, the weather remained largely dry but humid, with a noticeable build-up of heat in several districts. Officials note that the wind direction is currently shifting from south-west to north-east, a pattern that often precedes severe localised storms.
“Such conditions typically lead to heavy gusts, thunderstorms, and, at times, hail,” a meteorological official said. “Lightning strikes are also a concern, as they pose a risk to life and property.”
On Saturday, Patna recorded a maximum temperature of 33.9°C, while Gaya was the hottest in the region at 37.0°C. Most areas across the state, barring Dehri, saw a rise in daytime temperatures.
Residents are advised to remain cautious and follow updates from the Met department as the state braces for unsettled weather in the days ahead.
