Patna, July 7 (IANS) The India Meteorological Department (IMD) on Tuesday issued a Yellow alert for the entire state of Bihar, warning of widespread rainfall, thunderstorms, gusty winds, and lightning.

Dark clouds covered several parts of the state, including the capital Patna, as rain and strong winds brought relief from the prevailing heat.

The IMD has advised residents to remain cautious, particularly during thunderstorms, due to the risk of lightning strikes.

According to it, heavy rainfall is likely in the districts of Kishanganj, Katihar, Bhagalpur, Banka, and West Champaran.

There is also a possibility of hailstorms in isolated areas.

During the past 24 hours, rainfall was recorded in several districts, including Patna, Rohtas, Buxar, and Aurangabad.

On Monday afternoon, Patna, Banka, Nalanda, and Jamui also witnessed showers accompanied by strong winds.

The rainfall has led to a drop of around 1–3 degrees Celsius in daytime temperatures across many parts of the state.

The IMD has forecast that wet weather is likely to continue over Bihar for the next five days.

A Yellow alert has been issued for the entire state on Wednesday.

Apart from that, an Orange alert has been issued for Sheohar, Sitamarhi, Madhubani, Araria, Supaul, Muzaffarpur, Kishanganj, Vaishali, Darbhanga, Samastipur, Saharsa, Katihar, Madhepura, and Purnea, while the remaining districts remain under a Yellow Alert on July 9.

An Orange alert has been issued for East Champaran, West Champaran, Sitamarhi, Sheohar, Madhubani, Gopalganj, Siwan, Saran, Darbhanga, Vaishali, Muzaffarpur, and Samastipur, with a Yellow Alert in effect for the rest of the state on July 10.

A Yellow alert will continue across Bihar on July 11, with cloudy skies, intermittent rainfall and thunderstorms expected in many areas.

Meteorologists said the current spell of rain is being driven by an active monsoon trough passing through eastern India.

In addition, a low-pressure area over the northwestern Bay of Bengal is supplying abundant moisture to the region.

Under the influence of these weather systems, Bihar is expected to experience widespread rainfall, thunderstorms and lightning over the coming days.

The IMD has advised people to avoid open fields, trees and water bodies during thunderstorms, monitor official weather updates, and take necessary precautions in areas vulnerable to heavy rain and lightning.

–IANS

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