Patna: While several parts of Bihar, including neighbouring Muzaffarpur and Nalanda, have received spells of rain over the past few days, Patna continues to endure scorching heat and oppressive humidity, leaving residents frustrated as the monsoon largely bypasses the state capital.The prolonged dry spell has made life difficult for commuters, roadside vendors and others working outdoors. Temperatures have remained unusually high with the city recording a maximum of 39.6 degrees Celsius and a minimum of 30.8 degrees Celsius on Saturday. The real-feel temperature touched 52 degrees Celsius, making outdoor conditions particularly uncomfortable.“I have to completely wrap my face and head to protect myself from the heat during peak afternoon hours because it has been unbearable over the last few days,” said Rita Kumari, an e-rickshaw driver in Patna.The relentless heat has also hurt local businesses. “My sales have gone down because all the imported flowers are dying in this heat within one day. It usually rains in June, and sales go up, but the heat has affected both footfall and business,” said Ritesh, a flower seller on Boring Road.Despite the southwest monsoon reaching Bihar ahead of schedule on June 11, Patna has recorded a rainfall deficit of 76% this month. Against the normal rainfall of 100.8mm between June 1 and June 27, the city has received only 24.6mm. The prolonged dry spell has also pushed up temperatures, with Patna recording 11 days this month when the maximum temperature touched or crossed 40 degrees Celsius. The highest was 41.3 degrees Celsius on June 8.Across Bihar, rainfall has also remained below normal. India Meteorological Department (IMD), Patna, data showed the state received 66.3mm of rainfall between June 1 and June 27 against the normal 130.8mm, a deficit of 49%.IMD meteorologist Kumar Gaurav said the weak monsoon was due to the dominance of westerly winds, which were preventing moisture-laden easterlies from strengthening rainfall across Bihar.“As a result of infrequent rainfall across most parts of the state, the real feel temperatures appear to be so high,” Gaurav said.On Saturday, most districts recorded a real-feel temperature above 50 degrees Celsius, with Kaimur touching 55 degrees Celsius. The IMD also recorded heatwave conditions at six stations — Sheikhpura, Kaimur, Buxar, Dehri, Aurangabad and Gaya.Gaurav said rainfall activity was expected to pick up after 48 hours, from June 30, as stronger easterly winds become favourable for widespread monsoon showers.
