Bihar witnesses average rainfall of 125.3 mm due to Phailin

Cyclone Phailin triggered heavy rains in Bihar in the last two days averaging 125.3 mm with Bhojpur, Siwan and Patna bearing the brunt of the continuous downpour.

However, there was a let-up in rainfall since this morning.

According to Met office report, the rain bearing clouds have moved to neighbouring Nepal, Principal Secretary Disaster Management Vyas Ji told PTI.

He said the weather forecast has warned of rainfall particularly in the areas near Gandak and Kosi rivers today.

The Principal Secretary said all preparations have been put in place to meet any adverse situation.

Director Meteorology Bihar R K Giri said that the state witnessed heavy rainfall in the last two days due to impact of Cyclone Phailin.

The rain coupled with high speed winds forced people to stay indoors. The downpour dampened the festive mood of Dussehra on the ninth and tenth day of the Durga pujas that ended yesterday.

Met office sources said that Bihar saw 125.3 mm rain on an average during past two days in place of a normal rain of 3.2 mm at this time of the season.

Bhojpur, Siwan and Patna districts experienced the heaviest rainfall in the state as aftermath of cyclone Phailin.

Bhojpur recorded 170.3 mm rains in the last two days (till late last night) against normal rainfall of 1.1 mm around this time, the sources said.

Siwan witnessed 101.9 mm rain against .5 mm normal and Patna 85.2 mm as compared to 2.3 mm in previous years, they added.

The sources said that due to rainfall, water level in almost all the rivers flowing throughout the state has increased with Bagmati and Punpun rivers breaching the danger mark.

Vyas Ji said that the extent of damage due to Phailin has not been assessed so far.

Chief Minister Nitish Kumar had held a review meeting on the weather condition in the state yesterday in the wake of Phailin.