Bihar on Red Alert; Heavy Monsoon Rains, Thunderstorms to Lash 7 Districts Across State
Thursday, July 9: Parts of Bihar are set to experience heavy rainfall for the next three days starting Thursday, July 9. In view of the harsh weather predictions, a red alert has been placed over the entire state between July 9-11.
According to The Weather Channel’s met team, the monsoon trough over Bihar will combine with the convergence of westerly winds and humid southwesterly winds from the Bay of Bengal eastern and northeastern India, to cause wet conditions over the region.
Under the influence of this system, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecast fairly widespread to widespread showers with isolated heavy to very heavy falls over Bihar for the next 4-5 days.
Accordingly, a red warning has been placed over Bihar between July 9-11, urging its residents to “take action” and protect themselves from the rough weather conditions.
Apart from the heavy rainfall activity, multiple districts in the state are also likely to witness thunderstorms, lightning and squall for the next three days. Further, while all 38 Bihar districts will experience heavy showers, seven of those have been placed on red alert for this time period.
In northwest Bihar, a red alert has been issued over West & East Champaran from July 9-12, while Sitamarhi and Madhubhani in North Central Bihar will remain under the same advisory on July 10-11. Madhubani (Friday), Dharbhanga (Saturday), and Shivhar (Friday, Saturday) will be placed on orange alert. Further, Supaul, Araria, and Kishanganj districts in North East Bihar will also be on red alert on July 10-11.
Meanwhile, most other districts in South Central Bihar and South West Bihar will be placed under a yellow watch for the coming days, with its residents advised to “be updated” on the weather conditions.
With heavy showers set to lash the state, the Central Water Commission (CWC) has reportedly issued flood alerts in districts within close proximity of rivers.
As per its daily bulletin, Gopalganj district may experience severe flood situation due to the overflow of Gandak river, which has reached the warning level mark of 61.22 mm on July 8. Further, Khagaria district adjoining Kosi river (32.85 mm), and Muzaffarpur and Sitamarhi surrounding river Bagmati are also under a severe flood warning alert. The severe flood situation is announced when the water level touches or exceeds the danger level mark.
Since the beginning of June, i.e. between June 1 and July 8, Bihar has collectively received 383.5 mm rainfall, which marks an ‘excess’ as compared to its long-term average. Within this period, 19 Bihar districts received ‘large excess’ rains, whereas only three recorded ‘normal’ or ‘deficit’ rainfall activity.
