IMD Sounds Red Alert in Bihar as Extremely Heavy Rainfall Threat Looms

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a red alert for Bihar, warning of very heavy to extremely heavy rainfall amid changing weather conditions following the weakening of Cyclonic Storm Arnab.

According to the weather department, the remnants of Cyclonic Storm Arnab, which had weakened into a depression over central Chhattisgarh and adjoining Odisha, have further weakened into a well-marked low-pressure area over central Chhattisgarh. The system is expected to move north-northeastwards and weaken further over Northeast Chhattisgarh and neighbouring areas by Friday evening.

Bihar is likely to receive intense rainfall, prompting the IMD to issue its highest-level red warning for the day. An orange alert has also been issued for East Uttar Pradesh, Sub-Himalayan West Bengal, Sikkim and the Andaman and Nicobar Islands due to the possibility of very heavy rain. Jharkhand and Uttarakhand are also expected to witness heavy showers.

The weather department has additionally warned of thunderstorms and hailstorms in East Rajasthan, Haryana, Chandigarh, Uttarakhand and West Uttar Pradesh. Gusty winds accompanied by thunderstorms are likely in several other regions, including Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Punjab, Odisha, Andhra Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Assam and Meghalaya.

Meanwhile, Delhi witnessed light to moderate rainfall on Friday. The IMD has predicted further spells of very light rain along with thunderstorms and lightning during the day.