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Cold wave grips Bihar; fog delays flights and trains

Patna: The State capital was in the grip of a cold wave today as mercury dipped due to icy westerly winds and the thick fog enveloping the region delayed flights and trains coming to the city.

A heavy blanket of fog over the state capital threw flight and train schedules into complete disarray.

Several flights heading towards the capital were delayed. Air India IC 409 reached Jayaprakash Narayan International Airport at 1:45 pm against its scheduled arrival at 10:25 am while IC 407 that was to arrive here at 12:55 pm reached at 3:15 pm.

Rail passengers had a similar tale to recount with over 15 trains steaming into the state capital way past their scheduled arrivals. This was the ninth successive day that trains on this section of Eastern Railways were delayed due to foggy conditions. Two trains, Magadh Express (2401) and Jansadharan Express (2387) started late from Patna Junction.

With many of the trains being running late, the passengers are forced to spend long uncomfortable hours at the railway stations.

Intense cold wave continues to grip North India and Bihar

The sudden dip in temperature during last four days has brought about a chill in the weather, making life difficult for people in Bihar.

Locals covered in woollens made their way through the blanket of fog, which enveloped Patna. People could be seen huddled around fires to keep themselves warm and those sleeping on roadside were wrapped in quilts and blankets to protect themselves from the biting chill.

Early-morning frost covered the windshields of motor vehicles making it difficult for people to venture out.

Schools were told to suspend outdoor activities until the cold spell is over. Bihar public school and children welfare association have urged the district administrations to reschedule school hours. Most English medium schools are closing for winter vacation Saturday.

Officials at Sanjay Gandhi Jaivik Udyan (Patna Zoo) have ordered heaters to keep animals warm.

Farmers in the region fear the cold wave would destroy crops.

“We attentively listen to weather reports because extreme weather conditions — heat, rain or cold — affect our farm production,” said Shyam Babu Singh, a farmer in Dhaka block of Motihari. Even farmers in other parts of the state are worried about the cold spell.

The maximum temperature in Patna was recorded at 18.2 degree Celsius, while the minimum hovered around 13 degree Celsius.

The state would witness cold wave conditions in the coming days and the temperature is likely to drop below 10 degree celsius in the next few days, weather department officials said.

So far, around 24 people have reportedly died due to the cold in Bihar.

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