Monsoon advances, to cover entire Bihar in 24 hours: IMD

PATNA: The southwest monsoon advanced into some more areas in the state on Saturday, leading to rainfall in the state capital and several other districts in north and eastern parts of Bihar, providing huge respite to residents from the hot and sultry weather conditions. Patna received 9.3mm rainfall that occurred between 8:30am and 5:30pm on Saturday.
However, meteorologists claimed that monsoon was yet to cover the entire Patna. Nevertheless, light to moderate rainfall occurred at Patna, Gopalganj, Vaishali, Arwal and Jamui among other places due to development of localised rain and thunder-bearing convective clouds.
As per the evening bulletin of India Meteorological Department (IMD) issued on Saturday, the monsoon covered more than half of Bihar, leaving few central and south- west districts, which are also likely to be covered over the next 48 hours.
The IMD stated that southwest monsoon has further advanced into entire west central Bay of Bengal, most parts of northwest Bay of Bengal, some parts of Gangetic West Bengal, Jharkhand and some more parts of Bihar.
It stated conditions are favourable for its further advancement in Bihar, Jharkhand and West Bengal and adjoin places over the next 2-3 days.
"The monsoon current crossed through Banka, Saharsa, Madhepura and Vaishali on Saturday. Conditions are favourable for further advancement of the monsoon over more parts of central and west Bihar over the next two to three days," said Ashish Kumar, metrereologist at Patna meteorological centre.
Patna meteorological centre has issued forecast for isolated rainfall in all 38 districts till June 22. Yellow-coloured warning for thunderstorm with lightning has also been issued for all districts till Monday and central and eastern parts of the state over the subsequent two days.
"Thunderstorm activities are likely to continue at isolated places over the next two to three days due to formation of convective clouds. Light to moderate showers is also expected with possibility of heavy rainfall at one or two places in north-eastern districts," Ashish said.