The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued weather warnings for several districts of Bihar on Friday under the impact of Cyclone Arnab, forecasting heavy to extremely heavy rainfall, thunderstorms, lightning and gusty winds, IANS reported, citing the IMD's district-wise warnings.
Source: IANS via Hi India
A red alert — the IMD's highest warning level — is in force for Sitamarhi and Madhubani, where extremely heavy rainfall and lightning are likely. An orange alert covers Darbhanga, Sheohar, East Champaran and West Champaran, with heavy rainfall, thunderstorms and strong winds of 40 to 50 kmph expected. Yellow alerts have been issued for several other districts, including the state capital Patna, warning of rain, thunderstorms and lightning.
System weakening, but rain continues until October 31
In its national bulletin, the IMD said the depression formed from the remnants of the Very Severe Cyclonic Storm Arnab had weakened into a well-marked low-pressure area over central Chhattisgarh and adjoining Odisha. According to the Meteorological Centre in Patna, the impact of the weather system is expected to continue until Saturday, October 31, and a significant decline in maximum temperatures is likely in several parts of Bihar after the rainfall, with cooler conditions following.
On Thursday, Patna recorded 12.8 mm of rain until 5.30 pm and a maximum temperature of 24.2 degrees Celsius, about 6.9 degrees below normal, while Jehanabad recorded the highest rainfall in the state at 17 mm. No casualty or damage figures from Bihar had been confirmed at the time the warnings were issued, and the IMD said isolated to scattered rainfall will continue over Bihar and Gangetic West Bengal between October 31 and November 4.
Source: IMD bulletin via Aalimi Nation
The Meteorological Centre has urged people not to pay attention to rumours and to rely on official weather bulletins and government advisories. Residents in the red- and orange-alert districts should avoid waterlogged roads and stay indoors during thunderstorms and lightning, the IMD's advisories say.