Finally Rain quenches and drenches entire Patna

Patna, June 17: The state capital had its first tryst with monsoon this year this evening.

After arriving in some parts of the state on June 15, it covered the entire Bihar today. The state capital received 11.11mm rainfall on the opening day of the rainy season. The maximum precipitation in the state was recorded at Banka (60mm).

Confirming the arrival of monsoon in the city, Animesh Chanda, the director of Patna Met Department, said: “The monsoon arrived in Patna today. With its arrival in the city, now the monsoon has covered the entire Bihar.”

The maximum wind speed during the rainfall in the city this evening was 56km per hour. The humidity after the showers was 93 per cent.

“The depression over Bengal led to the arrival of monsoon in Patna today. Moderate rainfall is expected in the city in the next two-three days,” added Chanda.

The formation of low pressures in the Bay of Bengal is one of the most important factors that decide the advancement of monsoon in the northeast and north India. The Patna Met department has forecasted normal monsoon in the state this year.

The residents of the city were delighted over the arrival of the monsoon.

“There has been a hide and seek between the sun and the clouds in the skies of Patna over the past two-three days. There were a few drizzles as well. But too much humidity was uncomfortable. Now that monsoon has arrived, we will have a good night’s sleep. I have made my mind to celebrate this weekend with some rain dance,” Sanjeevani Ranjan, a resident of Kankerbagh, said.

The news of arrival of monsoon was a delight for the citizens but the air passengers had a tough time. The air traffic in the city was affected this evening because of rains.

The airport sources said Air India’s Delhi-bound flight (AI- 416), which was scheduled to arrive at 7.30pm, was expected to land at 9pm. Kingfisher’s Delhi-bound plane (IT- 3347), which was scheduled to arrive at 8pm, was expected at 9pm.

The worst hit airline was Jet Airways. Its Delhi-bound flight (S2- 290) was scheduled to arrive at 6.50pm. But it got delayed by over two hours because of showers. Its Calcutta-bound plane (9W- 285), which was schedule to arrive at 7.55pm, was expected to arrive at 9pm.