Patna, August 28: Bihar is set to celebrate Raksha Bandhan on Friday, but the weather department has forecasted rain across all 38 districts of the state. An orange alert has been issued for 20 districts, while the remaining 18 are under a yellow alert. Heavy rainfall is expected in some areas, particularly in northern Bihar, along with strong winds.
Residents are advised to remain vigilant and take necessary precautions due to the adverse weather conditions. The orange alert covers Patna, Jehanabad, Nalanda, Gaya, Nawada, Madhubani, Darbhanga, Samastipur, Begusarai, Sheikhpura, Lakhisarai, West Champaran, East Champaran, Gopalganj, Siwan, Saran, Sitamarhi, Shivhar, Muzaffarpur, and Vaishali districts.
Daytime temperatures are expected to range between 28 to 34 degrees Celsius, with humidity levels around 93 percent. The disaster management department has urged residents to act according to the weather conditions and adhere to safety guidelines.
A weather department official in Patna stated, “Despite the rain forecast, overall monsoon activity in Bihar this season has been below normal. Apart from sporadic rainfall, the usual three to four-day rain cycles have been nearly absent, leading to above-normal temperatures.”
Forecasts also indicate that rainfall activity may remain below normal in September, raising concerns for rice cultivation. Against a target of 3.796 million hectares, approximately 3.685 million hectares have been sown, achieving about 97 percent of the goal.
The official noted that from June 1 to August 27, nearly a dozen districts recorded a rainfall deficit of about 42 percent, making it increasingly difficult for farmers to protect their rice crops. In response to the challenges faced by farmers, the agriculture department has started accepting applications for diesel subsidies since August 17.
Except for Gaya, Jamui, and Aurangabad, all districts in the state have completed over 90 percent of the targeted rice sowing. In Kishanganj and Gopalganj, sowing has reached 101 percent of the target.
Under the diesel subsidy provision, farmers can receive ₹750 per acre, calculated at the rate of ₹75 per liter, for using diesel-powered pump sets for irrigation.
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