Met predicts hailstorm, heavy rainfall in Patna

PATNA: Heavy rainfall accompanied by hailstorm is likely to lash the state capital and adjoining districts during the next 48 hours, predicted the Patna meteorological centre on Wednesday.

“Isolated showers and gusty winds are expected in several parts of the state on Thursday, which may become fairly widespread on Friday. The weather will mostly remain dry after that,” added local met office sources. The expected showers have been attributed to an extra-tropical storm commonly known as western disturbance which originates in the Mediterranean region and brings sudden winter rain in the Indo-Gangetic plains and north-western regions of the Indian subcontinent.

Weathermen at Patna meteorological centre said that districts including West Champaran, East Champaran, Gopalganj and Siwan are expected to get heavy rainfall accompanied by strong surface winds on February 7, as the western disturbance is likely to make an entry from the north-western region of the state.

By February 8, the disturbance is likely to intensify and engulf the north-central region (Sitamarhi, Madhubani, Muzaffarpur, Darbhanga, Vaishali and Samastipur), south-central region (Patna, Gaya, Nalanda, Sheikhpura, Begusarai, Lakhisarai, Nawada) and south-western region (Buxar, Bhojpur, Rohtas, Bhabhua, Aurangabad, Jahanabad, Arwal).

The disturbance is likely to cause scanty rainfall on February 9 in the north-eastern and south-eastern regions of the state.

The mercury is also likely to dip after the rain and thunderstorm subsides. Many cities including Patna, Gaya, Darbhanga, and Muzzaffarpur are expected to register an average drop of three notches or more in minimum and maximum temperatures from February 10 onwards.

“The minimum temperature in Patna was recorded at 11 degrees Celsius on Wednesday, which is expected to rise to 13 degrees Celsius over the next three days owing to precipitation. After the rain recedes, the minimum temperature is expected to fall to 8 degrees Celsius by Sunday. People should take precautionary measures to guard themselves against the changing weather,” said the met official.

“The air quality in the city is also likely to improve following the precipitation. No fog is likely to occur in the coming week,” he further added.