Monsoon onset declared in Bihar

PATNA: The wait for the entry of rain-bearing winds in the state is over as India Meteorological Department (IMD) on Monday afternoon announced that the southwest monsoon made its foray into Bihar through the north-eastern districts, bringing a smile to the faces of tillers in hope for timely Kharif (monsoon) crop cultivation and residents reeling under sultry conditions.
The afternoon bulletin of the IMD on Monday stated that the Northern Limit of Monsoon (NLM) - an imaginary line drawn on the map by meteorologists to mark till where they deem the rain-bearing winds were passing through- was passing through Supaul.
Patna meteorological centre also stated in a special bulletin that a southwest monsoon has set in over the state, and it has covered the districts of Kishanganj, Araria Purnia and Supaul (all situated in north-east Bihar).
Patna meteorological centre further stated that rainfall activity is likely to increase over the state from Wednesday with fairly widespread to widespread rainfall along with thunderstorms and lightning with gusty winds expected till Friday.
Vivek Sinha, director at Patna meteorological centre said the monsoon has set in over Bihar on normal due date, which is June 13. “Conditions are favourable for further advancement of monsoon into some more parts of Bihar state during next four to five days,” he said.
Last year (2021), the monsoon entered Bihar through Purnia in north- eastern parts of the state on June 12. This year, the southwest monsoon made an early onset in mainland India through Kerala coast on May 28 and reached up to sub- Himalayan West Bengal and Sikkim close to Bihar border by June 3 but it did not make any significant progress over east India for the next one week. The monsoon current started reviving from June 10 and entered Bihar on Monday.
Deliberating on the expected rainfall this month, Sinha said: “As per the monthly seasonal forecast, the districts along the foothills of Himalayas are likely to get normal to above normal rainfall during the remaining part of June.”
Patna meteorological centre has also issued yellow- colored alert for thunderstorms with lightning in parts of north Bihar on Tuesday and most parts of the state from Wednesday to Friday.
The showers are also expected to bring respite from the sweltering heat. Patna meteorological centre stated on Monday that no changes are expected in maximum temperature during the next two days but drop by two to three notches during the subsequent three days.
Meanwhile, tillers in Bihar are delighted with the entry of the monsoon into the state. “It was the right time for onset in the state as most farmers will now start planting Kharif paddy seedlings in the nurseries. Most farmers could not start planting paddy seedlings owing to lesser pre- monsoon rainfall and scorching heat,” said Sudhanshu Kumar, a progressive farmer based at Samastipur.
Kharif season starts from the arrival of the southwest monsoon and ends in September. Sowing of paddy seedlings in this season starts mostly in early June, followed by transplantation in early July. Paddy transplantation is feasible from the beginning of July to mid-August.
Morning timings in schools:
In the light of the prevailing sweltering heat, all government primary and high schools have been ordered to hold classes, not beyond 10.45am even after reopening after the summer vacation from June 15. As per a letter issued by the district education office on Monday, owing to the high maximum temperature and scorching heat during the afternoon hours, classes up to high schools will be held from 6:30 to 10.45am. The mid-day meal will be distributed from 10.45am.