Residents of Patna and surrounding areas in Bihar enjoyed a temporary break from the harsh winter on Monday, as clear skies allowed sunshine to warm the daytime hours. However, this relief proved fleeting, with night-time temperatures plunging back to severe cold levels across the state.
Sunny Interlude, Frigid Nights
The state capital experienced a pleasant sunny day, offering some comfort from the intense chill. Daytime maximum temperatures, aided by the sunshine, ranged between 14 to 19 degrees Celsius in most parts of Bihar. Sheikhpura recorded the highest maximum at 19.5 degrees Celsius. In Patna, the minimum temperature settled at 9.6 degrees Celsius.
Despite the warmer afternoons, nights remained bitterly cold. Gaya shivered at a low of 5.5 degrees Celsius, with Rajgir at 5.6 degrees and Aurangabad at 6 degrees. In total, ten cities reported night-time readings in single digits. Across Bihar, minimum temperatures varied from 5.5 to 13 degrees Celsius, with western and north-western parts witnessing a drop of 2-5 degrees below normal.
IMD Forecast: No Relief in Sight
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) in Patna has predicted that the current weather pattern will hold for the next six days. Duty officer A K Suraj stated that dry conditions will prevail statewide. While clear skies may continue to allow sunshine during the day, this will be countered by sharp nighttime temperature drops and persistent cold north-westerly winds.
Maximum temperatures are likely to stay between 14-18 degrees Celsius in most areas, with no significant warming trend anticipated. Minimums across the state will range from 6-12 degrees Celsius, with further dips to 6-8 degrees possible in northern and south-eastern regions. No notable rise in temperatures is expected over the next 4-5 days, ensuring the intense cold persists.
Dense Fog and Cold Day Conditions to Continue
Visibility was severely hampered in several areas due to thick fog, with Gaya recording the poorest visibility at just 100 metres. The IMD warns that dense fog will continue to blanket many areas, especially during mornings and late evenings.
The following districts are expected to be affected:
- West Champaran, East Champaran, Gopalganj, Siwan
- Muzaffarpur, Sitamarhi, Madhubani, Supaul, Araria, Purnia, Kishanganj
- Parts of central Bihar
Furthermore, cold day conditions—where maximum temperatures remain significantly below normal—are likely to persist in the north, north-west, and south-west parts of the state. This includes districts like Kaimur, Rohtas, Aurangabad, Gaya, Nawada, and Jehanabad.
