By Neeraj Kumar
Patna: Bihar is bracing for a severe cold spell, with the Meteorological Department forecasting rain and dense fog on Saturday. A rain alert has been issued for several districts, accompanied by strong winds. The department predicts record-breaking cold to mark the start of the new year, with minimum temperatures potentially dropping to 4–5 degrees Celsius by the end of December.
The western disturbance, combined with heavy snowfall in the northern mountains, is expected to amplify the chill in North and North-West Bihar. The Meteorological Department has also issued a three-day dense fog forecast, warning of significant weather changes in the coming days.
On 28 December, Patna and surrounding areas may experience rain with strong winds, potentially triggering a cold wave. After the rain subsides, dense fog is expected to envelop the city. The combined effects of rain, snowfall, and westerly winds are likely to further lower temperatures, exacerbating the cold conditions across the plains.
The chill is expected to intensify from the first week of January. On Saturday, cloudy skies are anticipated in 14 districts, including Aurangabad, where light rain is likely. Meteorologist Dr. Anoop Kumar Choubey attributed the weather changes to the western disturbance, while Rakesh Kumar from the Purnia Meteorological Centre highlighted the impact of low pressure forming in the Bay of Bengal, particularly in South Bihar.
Rainfall is forecasted in Patna, Gaya, and several districts, including Buxar, Bhojpur, Rohtas, Aurangabad, and Nalanda. While daytime temperatures will remain cold, a slight rise in nighttime temperatures is expected due to partial cloud cover.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued special advisories for farmers, urging caution due to the potential weather disruptions. The IMD also highlighted that a fresh western disturbance, moving as a trough in the lower western winds, will bring significant moisture from the Arabian Sea and the Bay of Bengal over the weekend, leading to rain across many districts of Bihar.
Residents are advised to prepare for worsening cold conditions and to take necessary precautions as the weather takes a dramatic turn.
