Monsoon hits northeast Bihar; to cover entire state in four days

PATNA: The monsoon today hit Bihar, with rains drenching the northeast part of the state and it is expected to advance to other areas in the next three to four days.

"Monsoon today arrived in northeast Bihar and will advance to other parts of the state in the next three to four days ... the onset of monsoon in Bihar has been declared," Patna MeT director Ashish Sen said.

The Met department has received reports of first monsoon rains from northeast part of the state, which include districts like Araria, Kishanganj, Purea, Katihar and Supaul, he said.

Araria and Kishanganj districts witnessed good rainfall, while it rained in some parts of Purea, Katihar and Supaul districts.

The Met department had earlier said Bihar is likely to witness 8 to 10 per cent less rainfall against its prediction of 106 per cent of rainfall across the country.

Purnea witnessed a rainfall of 23.7 mm till 5:30 PM, while Gaya and Bhagalpur witnessed pre-monsoon showers of 1.8 mm and 3.3 mm respectively, a Met official said.

The capital Patna recorded maximum temperature of 34.6 degrees Celsius, while Gaya was the hottest place with a maximum temperature of 36.5 degrees Celsius.

Bhagalpur registered a maximum temperature of 35.5 degrees Celsius and Purnea 33.7 degrees Celsius, the official said.

The Met department has forecast cloudy skies with rain in Patna, while Bhagalpur and Purnea would witness generally cloudy sky with light rain. Gaya might get rain or thundershowers in the afternoon.