Patna: The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued an orange and yellow alert for 30 districts across Bihar on Saturday as pre-monsoon activity intensifies. With the southwest monsoon expected to arrive between June 15 and 17, residents have been advised to remain cautious amid warnings of thunderstorms, lightning, and gusty winds.
Fourteen districts have been placed under an orange alert, signalling the likelihood of severe weather, including winds blowing at 50–60 km/h and lightning strikes. Another 16 districts fall under a yellow alert, forecasting light to moderate rainfall and thunderstorm activity.
People in these areas have been advised to avoid open fields, trees, and elevated locations during thunderstorms.
Meanwhile, the IMD has issued heatwave alerts for six districts — Bhojpur, Rohtas, Arwal, Aurangabad, Kaimur, and Buxar — as temperatures continue to soar in southern Bihar. However, districts including Patna, Nalanda, Gaya, and Begusarai remain outside any immediate alert zone.
Monsoon showers are expected to begin in parts of eastern and northern Bihar from Sunday, with meteorologists predicting 3–4 days of consistent rainfall followed by intermittent showers over the next week. The average rainfall during the monsoon season in Bihar is 991 mm, and the upcoming system is anticipated to reduce temperatures by 3–4°C.
“This year, the monsoon is arriving a few days late, but we expect active rainfall through September,” said Ashish Kumar, director at Patna meteorological center. “It will likely remain over Bihar from around June 17 to September 15.”
The IMD has advised residents to follow local weather updates and take necessary precautions during intense weather activity, particularly in vulnerable districts under the orange alert zone.
