As the monsoon arrives, Bihar's weather is currently wearing two completely opposite faces. In one part of the state clouds are pouring down and fierce winds are gathering to wreak havoc, while in another part the blazing sun is leaving people gasping. The weather department says that from June 18 the state's conditions will stay extremely volatile for the next few days, and people have been advised to stay alert.
What is driving this sharp contrast
A weather system is behind this swing. According to the weather department, the northern limit of the monsoon is currently passing through Muzaffarpur and Jamui. Alongside this, a seasonal trough line runs from Punjab all the way to Bihar, threading through Haryana and Uttar Pradesh. It is this trough that is pushing large amounts of moisture into north Bihar, setting the stage for heavy rain and storms there.
Districts in the path of the storm
Weather scientists warn that on June 18 conditions could turn dangerous across many districts of north-central and north-eastern Bihar. Supaul, Araria, Kishanganj, Purnia, Katihar, Madhepura, Saharsa, Muzaffarpur, Vaishali, Sitamarhi, Sheohar, Darbhanga, Samastipur and Madhubani are all flagged for a strong likelihood of intense thunder and lightning at several places.
During this spell, destructive storms and high winds blowing at 50 to 60 km per hour could sweep through these areas. Winds this strong pose the biggest threat to mud houses and slum dwellings, which could be damaged. A separate alert for heavy rain at one or two locations has been issued specifically for Araria, Kishanganj and Supaul. Given the threat of violent storms, an orange and yellow alert for winds of 60 km per hour has been put in place for these districts.
Relief is still far off in the southwest
While north Bihar is set to be drenched, people in south-western Bihar will have to wait longer for the monsoon's relief. The weather department has issued a heatwave warning for the districts of Bhabhua, Rohtas and Aurangabad. Scorching hot winds are expected to blow through these areas in the afternoon, forcing people to stay indoors.
Where the mercury climbed and the heat bit hardest
The grip of the heat is clear in the numbers too. Over the past 24 hours the state's highest maximum temperature, 42.2 degrees Celsius, was recorded in Kaimur (Bhabhua). Beyond that, Shekhpura, Buxar and Kaimur saw severe heatwave-like conditions. In the capital Patna, as well as Gaya, Buxar and across south-central and south-western Bihar, the maximum temperature is expected to stay between 40 and 42 degrees Celsius. With that, the combination of humidity and heat could leave people drained through the day.
