Patna: The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a thunderstorm alert for 38 districts in Bihar today, placing 12 districts under an orange alert and the remaining 26 under a yellow alert. Strong winds, lightning, and thunderstorms are expected to impact large parts of the state over the next 48 hours.
According to the IMD, districts in North Bihar are most likely to experience intense weather activity, including gusty winds and lightning. A weather system developing over the Bay of Bengal is being cited as the reason for the untimely changes in weather patterns.
Orange and Yellow Alerts Across Bihar
An orange alert, which indicates more severe weather, has been issued for 12 districts including West Champaran, East Champaran, Muzaffarpur, and Samastipur. These areas may experience wind speeds of up to 60 km/h, along with thunderstorms and lightning.
Meanwhile, a yellow alert has been sounded for 26 districts including the state capital Patna, where wind speeds could reach 40 km/h, accompanied by light rain and lightning.
Precautionary Measures Urged
The Disaster Management Department has activated its alert protocols. All District Magistrates have been instructed to stay prepared for emergency response. Rescue teams are on standby, and advisories have been issued to avoid open fields, trees, and electric poles during storms. Farmers and residents have been advised to seek shelter and avoid using mobile phones during lightning strikes.
Weather Recap: Last 24 Hours
Cloudy skies were observed across most districts, with Supaul receiving rainfall on Saturday night. Patna recorded a maximum temperature of 36.1°C, while Rohtas was the hottest district at 40°C. In contrast, Banka was significantly cooler, with a maximum of 28.9°C.
Early Monsoon Signals
In a significant development, the southwest monsoon made an early onset in Kerala on May 25, eight days ahead of the normal schedule. This is the earliest monsoon onset in 16 years. The IMD now anticipates an early monsoon entry into Bihar, likely between June 13 and 15, via Purnia and Kishanganj.
However, meteorologists caution that wind patterns after onset will determine the pace and spread of the monsoon across the state. The traditional Nautapa heat spell, expected to begin from May 25, is also predicted to have a milder impact this year.
In 2024, Bihar witnessed a 20% rainfall deficit during the monsoon season, receiving 798.3 mm of rain compared to the normal 992.2 mm.
Administrative Preparedness
With the weather department’s alerts in place, the Bihar government has put its machinery in high alert mode. Safety instructions have been disseminated, and efforts are underway to minimize any disruption or damage due to the expected thunderstorm activity.
