'Cold wave in Bihar till January 15'

PATNA: A thick layer of fog engulfed Patna and other parts of the state on Thursday, leading to a plunge in day temperature.In Patna, the maximum temperature stood at 19.7 degrees Celsius, three notches lower than normal, and the minimum temperature at 11.6 degree Celsius. Sabour was the coldest place in the state with a minimum temperature of 8 degrees Celsius. Cold day condition was recorded at one or two places in north-central and north-eastern parts of the state.The weathermen attributed rise in day temperature to cold north-westerly winds. They said the minimum temperature is likely to plunge further during the next three days.The Patna Meteorological Centre on Thursday issued a warning for possible cold day/cold wave conditions in one or two places in the state till January 15 because of the continuous flow of icy cold westerly and north-westerly winds in the lower troposphere."During the next three days, the wind speed will be 15-20kmph, owing to which the maximum temperature is likely to drop by 4-6 degrees Celsius and the minimum temperature may remain below 10 degrees Celsius. As a result, there is a possibility of cold day/cold wave conditions in the state between January 12 and January 15," the weathermen said.In view of the cold day forecast, experts have advised people, especially children and the elderly, to wear warm clothes and consume hot beverages.Rakesh Kumar, an official at Patna Meteorological Centre, said a fresh western disturbance in the Western Himalayan region may affect the weather condition in Bihar.