Patna: Light rain accompanied by gusty winds in Patna and adjoining areas on Sunday brought much-needed relief from heat and humidity, even as monsoon activity remained active across Bihar. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) on Monday forecast continued active monsoon conditions in the state over the next few days.According to the IMD, Supaul recorded very heavy rainfall in the last 24 hours, while Purnia, Araria, Vaishali and Madhubani received heavy rain. Most other districts witnessed light to moderate showers.The monsoon trough is currently extending across central India towards Uttar Pradesh, while a cyclonic circulation persists over the north-west Bay of Bengal. A fresh low-pressure area is likely to form over southwest India by July 2, which is expected to further intensify rainfall across eastern India, including Bihar.Madhepura recorded the highest wind speed of 50 kmph. Among the highest rainfall figures, Saraigarh Bhaptiyahi in Supaul received 196.4 mm, followed by Pipra (140.6 mm), Kishanpur (133.4 mm), Raghopur (128.6 mm), Kasba (104.2 mm) and Nirmali (102.6 mm), indicating vigorous monsoon activity in north-eastern Bihar.Despite widespread rainfall, heatwave conditions persisted in parts of Kaimur and Buxar. Bhabua in Kaimur recorded the state’s highest maximum temperature at 40.8°C, while Purnia logged the lowest minimum temperature at 23.9°C.Across Bihar, maximum temperatures ranged between 31.2°C and 40.8°C, while minimum temperatures were between 23.9°C and 30.5°C. In Patna, the maximum temperature was 35.4°C and the minimum 30.5°C. The IMD said there was no significant change in temperatures over the past 24 hours.Over the next three to four days, maximum temperatures are likely to fall by 3°C to 5°C across most parts of the state, while minimum temperatures may drop by 1°C to 3°C, bringing sustained relief from hot and humid conditions.Rainfall is expected to remain widespread across Bihar till July 1. Districts in north-west, north-central, south-west and south-central Bihar — including Patna, Muzaffarpur, Gopalganj, East Champaran, Vaishali, Bhojpur and Buxar — are likely to receive rain at many places. North-eastern and south-eastern districts such as Supaul, Araria, Kishanganj, Purnia, Katihar, Bhagalpur and Jamui are also expected to witness rainfall at several locations before activity gradually weakens from July 2.The IMD has also issued a warning for thunderstorms accompanied by lightning and gusty winds in several districts this week. On June 30, winds of 40–50 kmph along with thunderstorms are likely at isolated places in north-west, north-central, south-west and south-central Bihar. Very heavy rainfall is expected at isolated locations in Gopalganj and West Champaran, while heavy rain is likely in Darbhanga, East Champaran, Madhubani, Sheohar, Sitamarhi and Vaishali.
