look news india
The Meteorological Department has issued a big update for the people facing the humid, sticky heat and indifference of monsoon in Bihar. Monsoon winds have once again become active in the state, due to which the weather has suddenly changed in the districts of North and North-Western Bihar. Patna-based Meteorological Center (IMD) has issued a serious warning of strong storm, thunder, torrential rain and lightning in 12 districts of the state.
According to meteorologists, due to moisture in the atmosphere and intense accumulation of clouds, strong gusty winds at a speed of 30 to 40 kilometers per hour can occur in many areas. The districts adjacent to the Terai areas of Nepal and the plains of the Gandak Basin will see the maximum impact of the weather during the next 24 to 48 hours. The Meteorological Department has strictly advised the local administration to remain alert and the common citizens not to go out in the open fields during bad weather.
Mathematics of Orange and Yellow Alert: Know how the weather will be in your district
The Meteorological Centre, Patna has divided the affected 12 districts into two different categories based on the severity of the conditions:
-
‘Orange alert’ (be prepared) in 5 districts: Orange alert has been issued in five major districts of north-western Bihar—East Champaran (Motihari), West Champaran (Bettiah), Gopalganj, Siwan and Saran (Chhapra). There is a high risk of moderate to heavy rainfall, strong thunderstorms and lightning in many blocks of these districts.
-
‘Yellow alert’ (be alert) in 7 districts: Yellow alert has been implemented in seven districts of north-central Bihar—Darbhanga, Muzaffarpur, Samastipur, Vaishali, Sheohar, Sitamarhi and Madhubani. There is a possibility of intermittent rain, thunder and lightning in these districts and the possibility of lightning at some places.
Due to heavy rainfall in the Terai and border areas, there is a possibility of waterlogging in low-lying areas and disruption of rural connectivity routes.
The havoc of Thanka (thunderstorm): Why does lightning become a deadly disaster in Bihar?
In Bihar, during the monsoon season, a more terrifying form of lightning i.e. ‘Thanka’ is seen than rain. Every year hundreds of people and cattle lose their lives due to lightning in the state.
According to geologists and meteorologists, the geographical location of Bihar is such where extremely moist winds coming from the Bay of Bengal meet the Himalayan foothills in the north and rise up. In this process, due to huge temperature difference in the atmosphere, vertical ‘cumulonimbus’ clouds are formed rapidly. Ice particles (positive charge) get accumulated in the upper part of these clouds and water droplets (negative charge) get accumulated in the lower part. When a huge electric potential difference is created between two opposite charges, millions of volts of electricity are directly attracted towards the ground. Farmers and laborers working in open fields of Bihar become the easiest victims of this natural discharge.
Science of weather system: Why did monsoon become active in North Bihar?
According to the Meteorological Centre, several atmospheric factors are working together behind the current seasonal changes. The monsoon trough is hovering around its normal position and one end of it is passing close to North Bihar and Terai region. Along with this, cyclonic circulation remains active in the atmosphere of eastern Uttar Pradesh and adjoining Bihar.
The moist easterly winds coming from the Bay of Bengal are continuously providing energy and moisture to this weather system. When this moisture-rich air collides with the warm surface temperatures of North Bihar, convective activity begins at the local level, causing sudden thick dark clouds and strong winds accompanied by lightning.
Condition of capital Patna and South Bihar: Sultry heat and movement of clouds
While the period of thunderstorms and rains is about to begin in North Bihar, the monsoon is expected to be relatively weak in the capital Patna and most of the districts of South Bihar. The sky will be partly cloudy in Patna, Gaya, Jehanabad, Nalanda, Nawada, Aurangabad, Rohtas, Bhojpur and Buxar.
In Patna, the scorching heat during the day due to strong sunlight and excessive humidity in the air can trouble people. However, due to the formation of local clouds in the afternoon or evening, light drizzle or thundershowers may be recorded in some areas of the capital. The maximum temperature in Patna is expected to be around 34 to 35 degrees Celsius and the minimum temperature will be around 28 degrees Celsius.
Important advisory for farmers: A lifesaver or a disaster for the paddy crop?
While on one hand this rain will prove to be a boon for the standing paddy crop for the agricultural districts of North Bihar, on the other hand the threat of Thanka is the biggest challenge for the farmers. After a long lull in the monsoon, this rain will give new life to the drying paddy fields, which will save the cost of diesel for irrigation and improve the growth of the crop.
However, the Agriculture Department and Disaster Management Authority have issued a special alert for farmers:
-
As long as clouds are thundering in the sky and lightning is flashing, completely stop the work of irrigating, applying fertilizer or weeding in the fields.
-
Keep your cattle inside a paved shed or shed instead of tying them in open fields or under trees.
-
Keep harvested crops and agricultural equipment covered in safe places.
Life-saving measures to avoid lightning: Stay updated with ‘Indravajra’ and ‘Damini’ apps
Bihar State Disaster Management Authority (BSDMA) has appealed to the general public to strictly follow safety norms instead of panicking if the weather turns bad:
-
Do not take shelter under trees: Never take shelter under tall, lonely or dense trees as soon as it starts raining. Trees are the biggest conductors of electricity.
-
Go to safe permanent buildings: If you are in the open, immediately go under a solid house or a solid roof. Tin sheds or kutcha huts do not provide complete protection from lightning.
-
Squatting posture (crotch position): If you get stuck in an open field or field and there is no shelter nearby, sit in a squat position with both legs together, hands on knees, head down. Never lie straight on the ground.
-
Distance from electric poles and metals: Immediately move away from iron fences, transformers, electric poles and water filled pits.
-
Take help of mobile apps: Keep the special ‘Indravajra App’ of Bihar Government and the central ‘Damini App’ active on your phone. This app warns through sirens and notifications 30 to 40 minutes before lightning strikes in your area, which can save lives in time.
Citizens of Champaran, Gopalganj and Mithilanchal have been instructed to keep an eye on the weather activities for the next 24 hours and follow the guidelines of the district administration.