Winter is set to intensify across Bihar as minimum temperatures are expected to fall by 2–4 degrees Celsius over the next 48 hours, prompting the Meteorological Department to issue a cold wave alert.
Patna recorded a minimum of 14.0°C and a maximum of 27.0°C on Friday, while Bhagalpur remained the coldest, with temperatures dipping to 8.4°C. Several districts have already reported minimum temperatures below 10°C.
The Bihar Meteorological Service Centre warned that the cold is likely to peak after December 15, with westerly winds reaching speeds of up to 40 km/h. Conditions may worsen further after December 19, with bone-chilling winds and a sharp drop in temperatures.
Dense morning fog is also expected to reduce visibility to 50–200 meters, affecting vehicular movement and increasing accident risks. Currently, visibility stands at around 500 meters.
The department has urged residents to take precautions, particularly during early morning and late evening hours, and ensure protection for children, the elderly, and vulnerable populations. Light to moderate fog is forecast over the next two days across several districts, including West and East Champaran, Sitamarhi, Sheohar, Gopalganj, Muzaffarpur, Madhubani, Darbhanga, Samastipur, Supaul, Araria, Kishanganj, Purnea, Bhagalpur, Khagaria, Munger, Jamui, Banka, Patna, Gaya, Aurangabad, Sasaram, and Kaimur.
(IANS)
