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Bihar on Red Alert: IMD Warns of Severe Storms, Hail in 16 Districts

The India Meteorological Department has issued a red alert for severe weather across 16 districts in Bihar, forecasting heavy rainfall, intense thunderstorms, and lightning over the next 24 hours. Authorities have urged residents to take immediate shelter and avoid open fields or water bodies due to the significant risk posed by lightning strikes and strong winds. The sudden weather shift has brought temporary relief from heat but also caused damage, with hailstorms reported in areas like Vaishali and West Champaran. Farmers in affected villages are reporting significant damage to standing Rabi crops from large hailstones, raising concerns over agricultural losses.

Key Points: IMD Red Alert for Bihar: Heavy Rain, Storms in 16 Districts

  • Red alert for 16 districts
  • Risk of lightning & 60 km/h winds
  • Crop damage from hailstorms reported
  • Public urged to follow safety advisories
2 min read

Bihar: Met Dept issues red alert in 16 districts after hailstorm

IMD issues a red alert for severe thunderstorms, lightning, and hail across 16 Bihar districts. Safety advisories issued as crops face damage.

"large hailstones caused significant damage to standing Rabi crops, leaving farmers worried about losses - Reports from Mohammadpur Pojha village"

Patna, March 20

The weather pattern in Bihar has taken a sudden turn, with the India Meteorological Department issuing a 'Red Alert' for heavy rainfall, thunderstorms, and lightning across 16 districts of the state.

According to the IMD, severe weather activity, including intense thunderstorms, lightning strikes, heavy rainfall, and strong winds with gusts of 50-60 km/h, is expected over the next 24 hours in several districts, including Araria, Begusarai, Darbhanga, Katihar, Khagaria, Kishanganj, Madhepura, Madhubani, Muzaffarpur, Purnea, Saharsa, Samastipur, Sheohar, Sitamarhi, Supaul, and Vaishali.

The department has urged residents to remain alert and strictly follow safety advisories issued by the Disaster Management Department.

The met department officials advised residents to take shelter immediately in a sturdy building if caught outdoors, avoid standing under trees or near electric poles, stay away from open fields and water bodies, and farmers are advised not to enter fields until conditions normalise.

Authorities have emphasised that lightning strikes and strong winds pose significant risks, and precautionary measures must be taken seriously to avoid casualties.

A sudden change in weather patterns swept across Bihar on Friday, bringing rainfall, strong winds, and hailstorms to several districts, offering temporary relief from the rising heat but also causing damage in some areas.

Districts such as Muzaffarpur and Vaishali witnessed rain accompanied by gusty winds, while hailstorms were reported from multiple locations.

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) had earlier issued 'Yellow' and 'Orange' alerts, warning residents to remain cautious.

In Muzaffarpur, the weather shifted rapidly within hours of the alert.

Dark clouds gathered by afternoon, followed by dust-laden winds, thunder, and light rainfall across urban and rural areas, including Sakra, Motipur, and Kanti.

The sudden change led to a noticeable drop in temperature, with estimates suggesting a decline of 3-5°C in maximum temperatures, bringing relief ahead of the peak summer season.

However, the situation was more difficult in parts of the Vaishali district. In the Goraul block, intense storms accompanied by heavy rain and hailstones forced residents indoors.

Reports from Mohammadpur Pojha village indicate that large hailstones caused significant damage to standing Rabi crops, leaving farmers worried about losses.

Similar weather conditions, including hailstorms, were also reported from Bettiah and Bagaha in West Champaran district.

- IANS

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Reader Comments

S
Sarah B
The IMD alerts are crucial, but the real challenge is getting this information to every village and farmer in time. Hope the local administration is using all channels - radio, SMS, loudspeakers - to warn people. Stay safe, Bihar! 🙏
A
Aditya G
While the temperature drop is a relief, the damage is not worth it. We see this pattern every year around this time. Our disaster management needs to be more proactive, not just reactive. Setting up better early warning systems and shelters in rural areas should be a priority.
P
Priya S
My family is in Muzaffarpur. They said the change was so sudden - bright sun to dark clouds in minutes. Thankfully they got the alert and were indoors. Please, everyone in the affected districts, take the warnings seriously. Don't go out unless absolutely necessary.
K
Karthik V
This extreme weather is a stark reminder of climate change. Hailstorms in March? It's becoming more common. We need long-term strategies for agriculture that account for these erratic patterns. Crop insurance penetration must increase.
M
Meera T
The advice to avoid fields, trees, and poles is basic but life-saving. Many lightning deaths happen because people ignore these simple rules. Hope community leaders are spreading the word. Jai Bihar, stay safe everyone.

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