Thaindian News

Patna, June 13 (IANS) Pre-monsoon showers in many parts of Bihar Monday brought much-needed respite from the scorching heat, with the weather office saying the monsoon may arrive in the next couple of days.

“The pre-monsoon rains are a good sign for the arrival of monsoon,” a Met official said.

Patna and neighbouring districts also witnessed dust storms and cool winds prior to the showers, leading to a drop in day temperatures.

“Monsoon is likely to hit Bihar between June 14 to 16,” the official added.

After facing two consecutive drought years, Bihar is likely to receive normal rainfall this year, a good news for the millions of farmers in the state.

Last year, the Bihar government declared all the 38 districts drought-hit due to a rainfall deficit of nearly 22 percent. Inadequate rains had severely hit paddy sowing and transplantation in most districts, barring Araria, East and West Champaran.

In 2009, the government declared 26 districts drought-hit.

According to state agriculture department, Bihar received 682.6 mm of rainfall in 2010 and 871.3 mm in 2009. In a normal monsoon year, the state receives nearly 1,100 mm of rainfall.