Kamal Ghorui
Patna: The state is expected to witness a fluctuating temperature pattern over the next few days. The India Meteorological Department (IMD), in its bulletin on Thursday, stated that the maximum temperatures are likely to drop by two to three degrees Celsius across most parts of the state, providing some relief from the recent heat in the next 24 hours. However, after this brief cooling, maximum temperatures are forecast to rise again by three to four degrees Celsius during the subsequent 48 hours.On the other hand, minimum temperatures are likely to show a gradual increase of three to four degrees Celsius over the next 48 hours.The Meteorological Centre in Patna has issued orange alert of gusty winds up to 50-60 kmph accompanied by thunderstorms and lightning in the southeast, north-central Bihar, Katihar, Kishanganj, Purnia, Araria, Madhepura, Saharsa and Supaul districts on May 2. Additionally, yellow alert of thunderstorms was issued for the north-central, northeast, southwest, south-central and southeast regions on May 1.According to meteorologists, rainfall and thunderstorm activities will continue till May 4 in the southwest, south-central and southeast parts of Bihar. “After this active spell, the weather is expected to turn calmer on May 5, with no major weather warnings afterward,” duty officer Soni Kumari at Patna MeT office said.In the last 24 hours, significant rainfall was recorded in several areas, with Kasba receiving 87.4 mm, Pratapganj 72.6 mm, Purnia 60.2 mm, Lakhnaur 58.0 mm, Kumarkhand 57.2 mm, Ahirwalia 56.0 mm, Itarahi 54.4 mm and Madhepura 53.5 mm. Many other places recorded rainfall between 45 mm to 52 mm. This widespread rainfall has provided much-needed temporary relief from the prevailing heat in the state.The lowest minimum temperature was recorded at 17.8 degrees C on Thursday in Sukhet (Madhubani). A notable drop of four to six degrees Celsius in minimum temperatures was observed at many places during the last 24 hours.Gusty winds reached a maximum speed of 89 km/h in Patna district. The minimum temperature in the state capital was 19.7 degrees C, at least 4.1 degrees lower than the normal departure. Day temperature also came down to 29.7 degrees C, around 7.3 notches below the normal range.
