PATNA: Even as southwest monsoon has advanced in some parts of Andaman Sea and Bay of Bengal, parts of Bihar, especially southern districts, continue to reel from sweltering heat.
With maximum temperature hovering around 45 degrees C, districts like Buxar, Gaya and Aurangabad have turned into heat pockets of the state. After a gap of several weeks, Patna Meteorological Centre declared heatwave in Buxar and Aurangabad districts on Tuesday. Moreover, a yellow warning for heatwave has been issued for Kaimur, Rohtas, Aurangabad and Gaya districts for Wednesday.
The maximum temperature which dropped below 40 degrees C at most places in the state over the last couple of weeks, has once again moved northward. The maximum temperature was above 40 degrees C at seven places in the state on Tuesday. Buxar was the hottest place with the maximum temperature of 45.2 degrees C, followed by Aurangabad (45.1 degrees C). The maximum temperature in Patna, on the other hand, was recorded at 39.4 degrees C, two notches higher than normal for the day.
People in south Bihar are unlikely to get any respite from the scorching heat in the coming days as the mercury is likely to remain above 40 degrees C at most places in the region. Patna Meteorological Centre has predicted that maximum day temperature is expected to be in the range of 40-44 degrees C in Buxar, Rohtas and Aurangabad over the next four days.
Similarly, it is expected to be in the range of 38-42 degrees C in districts in south-central Bihar, including Patna, Gaya and Nalanda. The maximum temperature is likely to be in the range of 38-40 degrees C in south-east Bihar.
While south Bihar sizzles, Patna Meteorological Centre has predicted light rainfall along with thunderstorm and lightning at isolated places in north Bihar till May 21. The Met office has also issued yellow alert for thunderstorm with lightning in Sitamarhi, Sheohar, Madhubani, Supaul, Araria, Kishanganj, Purnia and Katihar districts for Wednesday and Thursday. The warning has been issued for more districts in north Bihar, including West Champaran, East Champaran, Gopalganj and Darbhanga, for Friday and Saturday.
