Daijiworld Media Network - Patna
Patna, Apr 30: A sudden and intense spell of stormy weather swept across Bihar on Wednesday evening, leaving at least five people dead and causing widespread destruction in multiple districts, officials said.
According to preliminary reports, fatalities were recorded in Patna (2), Bettiah (2), and Begusarai (1) within the last 24 hours. In Patna, two people were killed when a portion of an under-construction six-storey building collapsed near Rukanpura Devi Sthan in the Rupaspur police station area. The victims, identified as Tribhuvan Prasad Sinha (73) and Anita Devi (48), were passing by when debris fell on them. Locals rushed to clear the rubble and took them to a nearby hospital, but both later died during treatment.
The storm caused damage in several other districts as well. In Jehanabad, four people were injured after part of a house collapsed due to strong winds and heavy rainfall. In Buxar, a tree fell on an e-rickshaw, injuring six passengers. In Bhojpur, powerful winds broke a pontoon bridge at Mahuli into three parts, disrupting connectivity. Meanwhile, in Supaul, a lightning strike set a coconut tree on fire, creating panic among residents.
The extreme weather, which began around 6 pm, brought strong winds, heavy rain, and lightning across large parts of the state, including the capital Patna. Within just a couple of hours, the storm uprooted electric poles, felled large trees, and blew away wedding tents, severely affecting daily life. Nearly 20 districts reported significant impact.
The India Meteorological Department had earlier issued warnings about adverse weather conditions, which materialised with widespread disruption. The department has now issued fresh alerts, forecasting continued instability over the next few days.
According to the Patna Meteorological Centre, temperatures are expected to dip by 2–3 degrees Celsius over the next 24 hours before rising again by 3–4 degrees in the following two days. Minimum temperatures are also likely to gradually increase.
Adverse weather is expected to persist on May 1, with thunderstorms, lightning, and strong winds likely across several districts. On May 2, heavy rain and winds of 50–60 km/h are forecast for Katihar, Kishanganj, and Purnea, followed by similar conditions in Araria, Madhepura, Saharsa, and Supaul on May 3. A statewide alert has also been issued for May 4, warning of thunderstorms and winds of 40–50 km/h.
Authorities have advised residents to remain cautious, avoid unnecessary travel during storms, and strictly follow safety guidelines as Bihar braces for continued volatile weather conditions.