Bihar weather alert conditions intensified on Thursday as the India Meteorological Department (IMD) warned of extremely heavy rainfall in Madhubani and Sitamarhi on Friday, along with thunderstorms, lightning and gusty winds across several other districts. The warning follows the northward movement of the depression left behind by very severe cyclonic storm Arnab.
The IMD issued red alerts for Madhubani and Sitamarhi, indicating the possibility of extremely heavy rainfall. Orange alerts were issued for Darbhanga, East Champaran, Sheohar and West Champaran, where very heavy rain, thunderstorms, lightning and winds of 40-50 kmph are expected. Yellow alerts remain in place for Gopalganj, Muzaffarpur, Samastipur, Saran, Siwan and Vaishali, among other districts.
Patna recorded intermittent drizzle and breezy conditions on Thursday, while light to moderate rainfall was reported in most districts. Heavy rainfall was forecast in Gopalganj, Muzaffarpur, Patna, Samastipur, Sheohar, Supaul and Vaishali. The weather system is expected to affect the state through October 31, according to the latest IMD assessment cited by IMD Patna officials.
According to an IMD notification, the depression was located over south Chhattisgarh and adjoining south Odisha and was moving northwards. It was likely to weaken into a well-marked low-pressure area over north Chhattisgarh and adjoining north-west Odisha by Thursday evening.
Kumar Gaurav, a meteorologist at IMD Patna, said the cyclone’s impact had earlier been forecast to continue until November 1, but the latest bulletin did not indicate any weather warnings for Bihar from that date. In a Thursday communique, IMD Patna head Anand Shankar said the influence of the weather system and the active flow of moist easterly winds could lead to a significant increase in rainfall activity across Bihar until October 31.
The warning has direct implications for urban movement and public infrastructure. The IMD said heavy rainfall could cause waterlogging in low-lying areas, disrupt traffic and trigger a sudden rise in river levels. Standing crops and trees could also be damaged. For cities and towns, the combination of intense rain, gusty winds and lightning creates risks for road users, drainage systems, electricity infrastructure and areas vulnerable to flooding.
Maximum temperatures are expected to fall by 3-4 degrees Celsius in many places over the next 48 hours. For Saturday, yellow warnings for thunderstorms, lightning and gusty winds of 40-50 kmph have been issued for north-western, north-central and south-western Bihar.
The IMD has advised residents to avoid waterlogged roads and remain indoors during thunderstorms. The current warnings are expected to remain in force until the end of October 31, with further updates to be issued through subsequent weather bulletins.
