KKN Gurugram Desk | While several parts of India are reeling under severe heatwave conditions, Bihar’s weather pattern has taken an unusual turn. Over the past two days, heavy rainfall has lashed the state, especially in the capital city of Patna, breaking a rainfall record that stood for nearly 80 years.
According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), this change in weather is the result of a combination of meteorological factors—moisture inflow from the Bay of Bengal, an active trough line, and western disturbances.
On April 11, 2025, Patna recorded 42.6 mm of rainfall in a single day, the highest for the month of April since 1946, as per official IMD data. Previously, the highest single-day rainfall in April was 34 mm on April 16, 1983.
IMD Patna Director Ashish Kumar confirmed that this event marks a significant weather anomaly, reflecting the impact of climate variability and global warming on regional patterns.
“We are witnessing the shift in seasonal rainfall due to climatic disruptions. Such heavy downpours in April are not common for Bihar,” said Kumar.
While northern and central India, including Rajasthan, Delhi, and Madhya Pradesh, are experiencing heatwave conditions with temperatures soaring above 43°C, Bihar remains relatively cooler due to a unique interplay of meteorological systems:
Moisture-laden winds from the Bay of Bengal
A low-pressure trough passing over eastern India
Western disturbances impacting northern Himalayan regions
Convective clouds formation due to daytime heating and moisture
These conditions have triggered thunderstorms, lightning, and widespread rainfall, keeping Bihar’s maximum temperature below 40°C for most of April so far.
Despite the usual April heat in Bihar, Patna has not seen temperatures above 40°C this month. The warmest day of the month was April 6, when the mercury touched 39.2°C. In comparison, the record for the hottest April day in Patna remains 44.6°C, recorded on April 29, 1980.
This pattern indicates a notable deviation from the norm, especially during a time when the rest of India is dealing with scorching heatwaves.
Alongside rainfall, Bihar is also witnessing increased lightning activity and high-speed winds, particularly in districts like Nalanda, Gaya, Muzaffarpur, Bhagalpur, and Patna. The IMD has issued yellow alerts for the next few days, warning residents to stay indoors during intense thunderstorm activity.
Lightning has already resulted in casualties and property damage in the past two weeks, prompting disaster management authorities to remain on high alert.
The unseasonal rainfall in April has caused significant worry among farmers, particularly those harvesting Rabi crops such as wheat, mustard, and lentils. Most of the crops had already been cut and stored in open fields, waiting to be transported to market.
Dr. Arvind Singh, Assistant Director at Patna’s Biological Control Laboratory, stated:
“The standing crops are not heavily impacted. However, harvested Rabi crops kept in open fields are at serious risk. Prolonged exposure to rain can lead to rotting and reduced market value.”
This has sparked concerns about post-harvest losses, particularly in districts heavily dependent on agricultural income.
Local farmers from Nalanda and Bhojpur districts shared their distress with KKNLive, citing potential losses in lakhs due to the untimely rain. Several cooperative societies and mandis are also reporting slow procurement and logistical delays in moving grains to storage centers.
A wheat farmer from Nalanda, Ram Sharan Singh, said:
“We had just cut our crops when the rain started. With no covered storage, most of our produce is now soaked.”
Experts believe this unpredictable April weather is another signal of climate change affecting India’s monsoon and seasonal systems. Over the past few years, Bihar has seen:
Early onset of monsoons
Rain in non-monsoon months (like April and February)
Frequent hailstorms in spring
Longer dry spells followed by sudden heavy rainfall
These patterns have challenged traditional farming calendars, irrigation planning, and urban infrastructure.
The Bihar State Disaster Management Authority (BSDMA) has advised:
Immediate shelter for farmers storing crops in open fields
Caution during thunderstorm alerts
Using mobile weather apps for real-time updates
Delaying transport or open-air processing of crops
The state agriculture department is also considering compensation for rain-affected farmers, though no official package has been announced yet.
According to IMD Patna, the current weather pattern is likely to persist for another 48–72 hours. The rain and thunderstorm activity is expected to subside by April 18, after which temperatures could gradually rise.
| Date | Rainfall Probability | Max Temp (°C) | Weather Condition |
|---|---|---|---|
| April 15 | 70% | 36°C | Thunderstorms, rain |
| April 16 | 60% | 37°C | Cloudy with light showers |
| April 17 | 40% | 38°C | Partly cloudy |
| April 18 | 20% | 39.5°C | Dry, sunny intervals |
| April 19 | 10% | 41°C | Clear skies, rise in heat |
Bihar’s record rainfall in April has disrupted both climate records and agricultural operations, offering a stark reminder of the growing unpredictability in Indian weather patterns. With temperature trends diverging from national norms and unseasonal rain affecting rural livelihoods, there is an urgent need to recalibrate our climate preparedness.
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