Bihar storm kills 5, batters 20 districts; IMD issues fresh alerts
Synopsis
A storm that lasted barely two hours on 29 April tore through nearly 20 Bihar districts, killing five people and snapping a pontoon bridge in three. With the IMD now warning of winds up to 60 km/h and statewide thunderstorm alerts through 4 May, the state's worst weather days may still be ahead.
Key Takeaways
Five people died across Patna (2), Bettiah (2), and Begusarai (1) due to storm-related incidents on 29 April 2025 .
In Patna, Tribhuvan Prasad Sinha (73) and Anita Devi (48) were killed by debris from a collapsing under-construction building near Rukanpura Devi Sthan .
Nearly 20 districts reported severe impact; the pontoon bridge at Mahuli in Bhojpur snapped into three parts.
The IMD has issued a statewide alert for 4 May , warning of thunderstorms and winds of 40–50 km/h .
Heavy rainfall and winds of 50–60 km/h are forecast for Katihar , Kishanganj , and Purnea on 2 May .
Authorities have urged residents to avoid unnecessary movement and follow safety advisories through the coming days.
A sudden and violent weather shift swept across Bihar on Wednesday, 29 April 2025 evening, killing five people and causing widespread destruction across nearly 20 districts within just one to two hours, an official confirmed on Thursday. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has since issued fresh alerts warning of continued unstable weather through 4 May 2025.
Fatalities and Casualties
Five deaths were confirmed across Patna (2), Bettiah (2), and Begusarai (1), according to preliminary information received from district authorities. In Patna, two individuals — Tribhuvan Prasad Sinha (73) and Anita Devi (48) — lost their lives after debris from a partially constructed sixth-floor building collapsed on them near the Rukanpura Devi Sthan under the Rupaspur police station jurisdiction. The under-construction building reportedly belongs to Nand Kishore Singh, according to local sources. Both victims were rushed to a private hospital but succumbed to their injuries on Thursday.
In Jehanabad, four people were injured after a portion of a house collapsed due to strong winds and heavy rainfall. In Buxar, six passengers travelling in an e-rickshaw were injured when a tree fell on the vehicle. A lightning strike in Supaul set a coconut tree ablaze, triggering panic among residents.
Infrastructure Damage Across the State
The storm, which began around 6 pm, caused significant damage within a short window. In Bhojpur district, strong winds snapped the pontoon bridge at Mahuli into three parts, disrupting local connectivity. Wedding tents were blown away, electric poles uprooted, and large trees felled across multiple locations, blocking key roads and halting normal movement. The IMD had earlier warned of challenging weather conditions, and the impact became clearly visible as storms and heavy rainfall swept through, including the capital city of Patna.
IMD Forecast and Fresh Alerts
The Patna Meteorological Centre has forecast a temperature dip of 2–3 degrees Celsius over the next 24 hours, followed by a rise of 3–4 degrees C in the subsequent 48 hours. Minimum temperatures are also expected to gradually increase by 3–4 degrees C during this period. Adverse weather is expected to persist on 1 May, with thunderstorms, lightning, and strong winds forecast across several districts.
On 2 May, heavy rainfall and winds of 50–60 km/h are expected in Katihar, Kishanganj, and Purnea districts. Similar conditions are forecast for Araria, Madhepura, Saharsa, and Supaul on 3 May. A statewide alert has been issued for 4 May, warning of thunderstorms, lightning, and winds of 40–50 km/h across Bihar.
Authorities Urge Caution
Officials have urged residents to remain indoors during adverse weather, avoid unnecessary movement, and follow all safety advisories as Bihar braces for continued meteorological instability. With fresh IMD warnings in place through early May, the coming days will be critical for the state's disaster management machinery.
Point of View
Not incidental. The state sits at the confluence of multiple storm corridors, yet preparedness — from building inspection enforcement to real-time public alert systems — remains patchy. The collapse of an under-construction sixth-floor building on passing pedestrians raises a pointed question about construction safety oversight in Patna. With the IMD forecasting continued instability through 4 May, the next test for state authorities is not just disaster response, but whether early warnings actually reach the last mile before the next storm does.
NationPress
1 May 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
How many people died in the Bihar storm on 29 April 2025?
Five people died in Bihar due to storm-related incidents on 29 April 2025. Deaths were reported from Patna (2), Bettiah (2), and Begusarai (1), according to preliminary information from district authorities.
What caused the deaths in Patna during the Bihar storm?
In Patna, two people — Tribhuvan Prasad Sinha (73) and Anita Devi (48) — were killed when debris from a collapsing sixth-floor under-construction building fell on them near Rukanpura Devi Sthan. Both were passing by the site when the structure gave way and succumbed to injuries at a private hospital on Thursday.
What is the IMD weather forecast for Bihar in the coming days?
The IMD has issued fresh alerts warning of thunderstorms, lightning, and strong winds across Bihar through 4 May 2025. Winds of 50–60 km/h are expected in Katihar, Kishanganj, and Purnea on 2 May, with a statewide alert for 40–50 km/h winds on 4 May.
Which districts in Bihar were worst affected by the storm?
Nearly 20 districts reported severe impact. Key incidents were recorded in Patna, Bettiah, Begusarai, Jehanabad, Buxar, Bhojpur, and Supaul. The pontoon bridge at Mahuli in Bhojpur was snapped into three parts by strong winds.
What safety advice have Bihar authorities issued?
Authorities have urged residents to remain indoors during adverse weather, avoid unnecessary movement, and follow safety advisories issued by the state government and IMD as Bihar braces for continued meteorological instability through early May.
