Thundershowers, squall lash Patna

PATNA: Squall with thundershowers lashed Patna and other districts on Saturday evening. Weathermen said thunderstorm activities with lightning may continue over the next two days, especially in the evening hours.

Patna Meteorological Centre said several districts in central and western Bihar, including Patna, Rohtas, Kaimur and Buxar districts witnessed turbulent weather.

Satellite images showed cloud patches moving towards Bihar from east Uttar Pradesh. It issued warnings for thunderstorm and lightning with light to moderate rain in Gopalganj, Siwan, Darbhanga, Bhojpur, Arwal and Aurangabad districts.

Patna witnessed thundershowers with squall for an hour from 7pm. As per Patna Meteorological Centre, the wind speed was in the range of 45-65 kmph. A Met official attributed the turbulent weather to amalgamation of high temperature with moist easterly winds blowing in the region. “Moisture incursion was also taking place from a cyclonic circulation over Jharkhand. The moisture feeding is expected to continue till Sunday which, in turn, is expected to lead the recurrence of thundershowers till Monday, especially in the evening hours. Hot and dry westerly winds are expected from Tuesday, but maximum temperature is expected to remain under 40 degrees C,” he said.

Pre-monsoon thundershowers apart, the southwest monsoon is also progressing swiftly and is expected to reach Bihar between June 13 and 16. The India Meteorological Department on Saturday said conditions were becoming favourable for further advance of southwest monsoon into some parts of south Arabian Sea, Maldives-Comorin area and southeast Bay of Bengal. The wing of southwest monsoon from the Bay of Bengal reaches Bihar through northeastern districts of Katihar, Kishanganj and Purnea.