The India Meteorological Department (IMD) in Patna has sounded an orange alert for the entire state of Bihar, warning residents of severe cold day conditions and dense to very dense fog. The alert, issued on Thursday, is expected to remain in force until December 28, affecting all 38 districts.
Severe Weather Grips the State
The current harsh winter spell is being driven by high-altitude, fast-moving winds over northeast India, clocking speeds of nearly 260 kilometres per hour. Adding to the chill, a western disturbance originating from the Himalayan region is predicted to influence Bihar's weather from December 27 onwards, maintaining cold and unstable atmospheric conditions.
Data from the last 24 hours paints a stark picture of the winter severity. Patna recorded minimum and maximum temperatures of 12.6 and 18.4 degrees Celsius respectively. However, Agwanpur in Saharsa district shivered at a bone-chilling minimum temperature of 6.7 degrees Celsius, the lowest in the state. Purnia officially registered a severe cold day, while standard cold day conditions were reported in Bhagalpur, Gaya, and Madhubani.
Visibility Plummets, Travel Disruptions Feared
The dense to very dense fog has become a major hazard, drastically reducing visibility across several regions. In Gaya and Bhagalpur, visibility dropped to a perilous low of just 20 metres, creating serious risks for road commuters and raising the possibility of disruptions to air and rail services. While Kishanganj recorded the state's highest maximum temperature at 23 degrees Celsius, most other districts saw daytime highs confined to a narrow range of 16.2 to 20.3 degrees Celsius.
Forecast: No Immediate Respite
According to the IMD's forecast, the very dense fog is likely to continue over northern, south-western, and south-eastern Bihar. The punishing cold day conditions, where daytime temperatures remain significantly below normal, are expected to persist over north-central and south-eastern parts of the state.
The weather department predicts dry conditions for the next week, but clear skies are not on the immediate horizon. Moderate to dense fog is likely to blanket the state for the next four to five days. The period between December 29 and 30 may see the most intense cold and fog shifting towards western and north-central districts. Temperature trends indicate no major variation in day or night readings over the coming three to four days, meaning Bihar's harsh winter spell is set to prolong.
Authorities advise citizens to exercise caution while travelling, use appropriate winter gear, and stay updated with the latest weather bulletins from the IMD.
