IMD Issues Yellow Monsoon Alert Across All 38 Bihar Districts as Heavy Rain Looms

IMD Issues Yellow Monsoon Alert Across All 38 Bihar Districts as Heavy Rain Looms

On Friday, October 3, 2025, the India Meteorological Department, the nation’s weather watchdog, threw a yellow alert across every one of Bihar’s 38 districts.

The timing feels almost cinematic: the monsoon, which had been snoozing for a few days, suddenly sprang back to life, drenching the state with light to moderate showers and flirting with the threat of heavy rain and lightning in pockets.

Here's the thing: the department didn’t stop at yellow. It layered a red warning over areas primed for “extremely heavy” rain—think 21 cm or more—on October 3‑4. That kind of rain can turn streets into rivers in minutes.

Why the Sudden Downpour?

The culprit is a deep depression brewing over the west‑central Bay of Bengal, roughly 160 km off the Gopalpur coast in Odisha. Meteorologists say this low‑pressure system is marching northward and was expected to make landfall between Odisha and Andhra Pradesh late Thursday night, October 2.

Adding fuel to the fire is an upper‑air cyclonic circulation perched 1.5‑3.1 km above central Uttar Pradesh. Together, these systems channel moist southerly winds straight into Bihar, setting the stage for widespread precipitation.

Dr. Ranjit Kumar, Director of the IMD’s North‑Eastern Regional Centre, explained, "The synergy between the Bay of Bengal depression and the upper‑level cyclonic vortex creates a perfect recipe for prolonged rainfall across the Indo‑Gangetic plains."

What’s Happening on the Ground?

Since Wednesday, October 1, rain has been popping up intermittently across the state. By Thursday, October 2, districts like Patna, Ara, Vaishali, Kishanganj, Supaul, Banka, Jehanabad, Nalanda, Bettiah, Samastipur, and Saharsa reported moderate to heavy showers.

Patna got a welcome breather from sweltering humidity—some residents even said the air felt "crisp" for the first time in weeks. Yet the same rain left Darbhanga and surrounding areas battling severe waterlogging, turning daily commutes into a slog through ankle‑deep pools.

Meanwhile, the timing of the downpour has thrown a wrench into cultural preparations. Durga Puja pandals and the dramatic Ravana Dahan events, slated for later this week, are scrambling for dry ground and safe setups.

Forecast Details: Numbers, Temperatures, and Alerts

• Isolated extremely heavy rain: 21 cm+ on Oct 3‑4 (red alert)
• Typical rainfall in the next few days: 80‑100 mm in hard‑hit pockets
• Temperature dip in Patna: 2‑3 °C lower than the early‑October norm
• Alert breakdown: East Champaran, Gopalganj, Siwan (orange); West Champaran, Gaya (varied levels)

The IMD’s extended forecast, issued on Oct 2, paints a picture of light to moderate rain and thunderstorms across most of Bihar from Oct 2‑7, with isolated heavy downpours lingering until Oct 5.

Also on the radar: a fresh Western Disturbance, expected to sweep across northwest India starting Oct 4, will mingle with a surge of moisture from both the Arabian Sea and the Bay of Bengal, keeping the broader region on edge through Oct 7.

Impact on Daily Life and Infrastructure

Roads in Darbhanga are water‑logged, causing delays for buses and private vehicles. Farmers in the outskirts are hoping the rain revives their soil after a dry spell earlier in the month, but the intensity worries those with low‑lying fields prone to flooding.

Electricity providers have been on standby; a few villages reported brief outages due to short‑circuits caused by water infiltration. Health officials warn that standing water can become a breeding ground for mosquitoes, potentially stoking a spike in dengue cases.

On the positive side, the cooler air has given a temporary reprieve to heat‑exposed workers, especially those on construction sites in Patna, who said they could finally “breathe easier”.

What Experts Say About the Broader Climate Picture

Climatologist Dr. Ananya Sharma of the Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology notes, "These erratic bursts of heavy rain are consistent with the increasing variability we expect under climate change. While a single event doesn’t prove a trend, the pattern aligns with model projections for a wetter, more unpredictable monsoon season."

Local government officials, however, remain focused on immediate response. The Bihar Disaster Management Department has mobilized sandbags for vulnerable neighborhoods and set up relief camps in water‑logged zones.

Looking Ahead: What to Expect After Oct 7?

Beyond the current window, the IMD forecasts a tapering of rain as the depression weakens and the Western Disturbance moves further north. Still, meteorologists caution that residual moisture could spark isolated showers well into mid‑October.

Residents are advised to keep an eye on local bulletins, especially if they're planning outdoor events tied to the upcoming Durga Puja festivities. The department recommends avoiding low‑lying areas during heavy downpours and staying clear of standing water to reduce health risks.

Key Facts at a Glance

1. Date of yellow alert: October 3, 2025
2. Red warning for 21 cm+ rain: Oct 3‑4
3. Primary weather system: Deep depression over Bay of Bengal (≈160 km off Gopalpur, Odisha)
4. Most affected districts: Patna, Darbhanga, Kishanganj, Vaishali
5. Temperature impact: Patna down 2‑3 °C