Bihar continues to reel under a severe cold wave, with a sharp drop in both day and night temperatures disrupting normal life across the state.
Dense fog, icy winds and rising air pollution have compounded the situation, forcing people to stay indoors and affecting daily activities.
According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), the cold spell is expected to persist until December 22, with the possibility of a further decline in temperatures.
The IMD has issued a red alert for 12 districts of north Bihar, warning of extremely dense fog and severe cold conditions. A yellow alert has also been issued for 24 other districts, including Patna, cautioning residents about cold-day conditions.
The districts facing the most severe impact include West Champaran, East Champaran, Sitamarhi, Sheohar, Madhubani, Darbhanga, Muzaffarpur, Samastipur, Vaishali, Saran, Siwan and Gopalganj.
In these areas, extremely dense fog is expected during morning and night hours, making road travel highly risky.
A yellow alert for cold-day conditions has been issued for 24 districts, including Patna, Gaya, Bhagalpur and Purnea. While conditions in these districts are less severe than those under the red alert, the impact of cold and fog remains significant.
Continuous westerly winds have intensified the chill, forcing people to rely on heaters and bonfires. School timings have been modified in several districts to protect children from extreme cold and fog.
Persistent fog since morning has resulted in poor visibility on roads, leading to accidents in some areas.
Significant temperature drops have also been recorded in districts such as Gaya, Chhapra and Jehanabad, and weather conditions may worsen over the next few days.
The Meteorological Department has advised residents to remain cautious, avoid unnecessary travel during early morning and night hours, and take protective measures against cold-related health issues.
–IANS
