Bihar is currently facing a severe grip of winter as cold conditions intensify across the entire state. Icy westerly winds are sweeping through the plains and causing a sharp drop in temperatures. The India Meteorological Department has issued an orange alert for the second day in a row. This alert covers dense fog and cold day conditions for most parts of the state. Life has come to a standstill in several districts due to these extreme weather patterns. Residents of Patna and Jehanabad experienced a very difficult morning today. Visibility in these areas dropped to just 10 metres during the early hours. This low visibility has severely impacted transport services and daily routines for everyone.
The latest reports from the weather office suggest no immediate relief for the people. Similar weather conditions will likely persist for the next four to five days across Bihar. The department has specifically issued a dense fog alert for ten major districts. Data shows that Saharsa recorded the lowest minimum temperature in the state at 6.7 degrees Celsius. Bhagalpur followed closely with a minimum temperature of 7.6 degrees Celsius during the last 24 hours. Gaya also felt the chill with a recorded minimum temperature of 8.5 degrees Celsius. These numbers indicate a steady decline in mercury levels across the northern and southern regions.
Flight Operations Disrupted At Patna Airport Due To Low Visibility
Air travel has faced significant challenges because of the thick blanket of fog over the capital. Flight operations at the Patna airport were heavily disrupted throughout the morning hours. Poor visibility forced the cancellation of two major flight pairs today. One pair of flights on the Bengaluru to Patna route was cancelled entirely. Another pair of flights between Hyderabad and Patna could not operate as well. Passengers faced long waiting hours as eleven pairs of flights suffered from various delays. These delays ranged from a few minutes to nearly two hours in some cases.
One specific IndiGo flight from Bengaluru arrived nearly one hour and 45 minutes late. The first aircraft to land at the airport was an Air India flight from Delhi. This landing only became possible at 9.43 am after the fog started to lift. Visibility levels showed slight improvement as the morning progressed toward the noon hour. It reached 900 metres by 9 am and later improved to 1,100 metres. Flight operations began to resume gradually only after these visibility markers were met safely. Many travelers remained stranded at the terminal while waiting for their rescheduled departure times.
Indian Railways And Road Transport Face Hardships Amid Dense Fog
The rail network in Bihar is also struggling to maintain its schedule under these conditions. Several trains are running many hours behind their original arrival and departure times. At least 14 express trains faced significant delays on Thursday across the state. These delays caused immense frustration and inconvenience to hundreds of train passengers. Some passengers reported a lack of basic facilities at stations and inside the trains. There were specific complaints regarding the availability of drinking water and general cleanliness issues. The railway authorities are working to manage the backlog of delayed trains despite the weather.
Road safety has become a major concern for the local administration and police. Dense fog led to a pile-up of five vehicles in Munger on Thursday morning. Fortunately, no casualties or major injuries were reported from this specific road accident. High-speed travel has become extremely dangerous on the highways due to the blinding fog. Authorities have issued a fresh advisory for all motorists and commercial drivers. Drivers should maintain very low speeds and use their fog lights at all times. They must exercise extreme caution while driving through rural areas and open highways.
Himalayan Winds Drive Cold Wave Conditions Across North India
Meteorological experts have explained the scientific reasons behind this sudden and intense cold wave. The current weather is driven by continuous snowfall in the high Himalayan regions. An active western disturbance is also affecting the weather patterns across North India. Cold westerly winds are traveling from these snow-covered mountains directly into the plains. These winds bring a biting chill that causes the thermometer to dip rapidly. The plains of Bihar are particularly vulnerable to these freezing winds during this season. This combination of factors has led to the persistent cold day conditions seen recently.
The weather department warns that the situation could get even colder very soon. Minimum temperatures in several districts might fall by another 2 to 3 degrees Celsius. This further drop will increase the risk of frost and more intense morning fog. The cold wave is expected to tighten its grip over the next few days. People living in open areas and rural belts will feel the maximum impact. The weather office is monitoring the movement of the western disturbance very closely. They will provide regular updates if the intensity of the cold wave increases further.
Health Advisory Issued For Vulnerable Groups During Severe Cold
The state government and health experts are concerned about the impact on public health. The India Meteorological Department has advised citizens to take necessary precautions against the cold. Elderly people and young children are at the highest risk during such extreme weather. Those with existing respiratory or heart conditions must remain very careful during this period. Health officials suggest avoiding any unnecessary outdoor exposure during the early morning and late night. It is essential to wear multiple layers of warm clothing to stay protected. Staying hydrated and eating warm meals is also recommended by doctors to maintain body heat.
Patna city witnessed a very chilly start to the day with strong cold winds. The fog only began to clear around 10 am to reveal the sun. However, the sunlight provided very little warmth against the biting westerly winds. The maximum temperature in the capital reached only 18.4 degrees Celsius today. The minimum temperature in Patna was recorded at 12.6 degrees Celsius during the night. Kishanganj was the only place that recorded a higher maximum temperature of 23 degrees Celsius. Meanwhile, cold day conditions continued in Purnea, Bhagalpur, Gaya and Madhubani districts without any break.
Weather Forecast Predicts Continued Fog In Coming Days
The Meteorological Centre has provided a detailed forecast for the final week of December. Dense fog and cold day conditions will likely hit isolated places on December 27. Similar weather patterns will continue through December 28 across several parts of the state. On December 29 and 30, western Bihar might see fog at one or two locations. The northern and south-eastern districts are expected to face the brunt of the cold day. Parts of south-west Bihar will also experience thick fog during the early morning hours. Residents should prepare for a week of very low temperatures and poor visibility.
The state administration is considering measures to help the homeless during these cold nights. Night shelters are being prepared to accommodate those who sleep on the streets. Local bodies have been asked to arrange bonfires at major public squares and crossings. This will provide some relief to people who must work outdoors during the night. The power department is also ensuring a steady supply of electricity for heating needs. Everyone is encouraged to keep track of the latest weather updates via local news. Please stay safe and follow all official guidelines during this prolonged period of intense cold.
