Monsoon onset in Bihar unlikely before June 20

PATNA: An almost stagnant northern limit of monsoon in northeast India over the last 24 hours is likely to have further delayed the onset of southwest monsoon in Bihar, officials at Patna meteorological centre claimed on Tuesday.
After the onset of monsoon over Kerala on June 8, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) declared on Monday that the rain-bearing wings covered most parts of Mizoram and some parts of Manipur.
“The normal date of onset of monsoon in Bihar through northeastern districts of Purnea and Katihar is June 10-12. But, as the overall movement of monsoon in the country is delayed by at least one week, the rain-bearing winds are unlikely to enter Bihar before June 20,” said an official at Patna meteorological centre.
However, many places in north and northeast Bihar are witnessing pre-monsoon showers for the past few days. The daily weather bulletin issued by Patna meteorological centre said moderate to heavy rainfall occurred at a few places over northeast Bihar and light to moderate rainfall over north-central, north-west parts of the state during the past 24 hours.
“Places like Bhagalpur and Purnia are expected to witness pre-monsoon showers over the next two to three days as well,” the official said.
Wet spells in north Bihar notwithstanding, most places in south and central Bihar are witnessing scorching heat conditions. Patna meteorological centre stated that heatwave conditions prevailed at a few places over south Bihar during the past 24 hours. The maximum temperature was recorded at 46.4 degrees C at Dehri in Rohtas district.