Bihar orange alert: 20 districts including Patna on watch as rain sweeps all 38
Synopsis
Even as rain sweeps Bihar on Raksha Bandhan, the bigger story is what hasn't fallen — a 42% monsoon deficit in a dozen districts is threatening paddy crops, and September forecasts offer little relief. The diesel subsidy scramble tells you how serious the agricultural stress already is.
Key Takeaways
The Meteorological Department has forecast rainfall across all 38 districts of Bihar on 28 August 2025 , coinciding with Raksha Bandhan .
An orange alert has been issued for 20 districts including Patna , Muzaffarpur , Darbhanga , and West Champaran ; the remaining 18 are under a yellow alert.
About a dozen districts recorded a rainfall deficit of approximately 42 per cent between 1 June and 27 August .
Paddy sowing stands at 36.85 lakh hectares — around 97 per cent of the 37.96 lakh hectare target — but crop protection is under threat.
The Agriculture Department began accepting diesel subsidy applications from 17 August , offering farmers ₹750 per acre for diesel-powered irrigation.
Rainfall activity is forecast to remain below normal through September , compounding concerns for the agricultural sector.
The Meteorological Department has forecast rainfall across all 38 districts of Bihar on 28 August 2025, coinciding with Raksha Bandhan, with an orange alert issued for 20 districts including Patna and a yellow alert for the remaining 18. Heavy rainfall is anticipated at isolated locations, particularly across North Bihar, with strong winds expected to accompany the showers.
Districts Under Orange Alert
The 20 districts placed under the orange alert are Patna, Jehanabad, Nalanda, Gaya, Nawada, Madhubani, Darbhanga, Samastipur, Begusarai, Sheikhpura, Lakhisarai, West Champaran, East Champaran, Gopalganj, Siwan, Saran, Sitamarhi, Sheohar, Muzaffarpur, and Vaishali. Temperatures are expected to hover between 28 and 34 degrees Celsius, with humidity forecast at approximately 93 per cent.
Advisory to Residents
The Disaster Management Department has urged residents to follow safety advisories and act in accordance with prevailing weather conditions. Citizens have been advised to remain cautious and take necessary precautions given the adverse forecast.
Monsoon Deficit and Paddy Cultivation at Risk
Despite Friday's widespread rainfall forecast, Bihar's overall monsoon activity has remained below normal this season, according to a Met Department official in Patna. The typical three-to-four-day rainfall cycles have been largely absent, contributing to higher-than-normal temperatures. Notably, the outlook suggests rainfall activity could remain below normal through September as well, raising serious concerns for paddy cultivation across the state.
Around a dozen districts recorded rainfall deficits of approximately 42 per cent between 1 June and 27 August, making it increasingly difficult for farmers to protect standing paddy crops. Against the state's target of 37.96 lakh hectares, paddy has been sown across approximately 36.85 lakh hectares — roughly 97 per cent of the target.
Diesel Subsidy for Farmers
In response to the hardship faced by farmers, the Agriculture Department began accepting applications for diesel subsidies from 17 August. Under the provision, farmers can receive ₹750 per acre — calculated at ₹75 per litre — for irrigation using diesel-powered pump sets.
Except for Gaya, Jamui, and Aurangabad, more than 90 per cent of targeted paddy sowing has been completed across the state. In Kishanganj and Gopalganj, sowing has reportedly reached 101 per cent of the target. The coming weeks will be critical in determining whether the below-normal monsoon translates into a full-scale agricultural crisis for the state.
Point of View
Compounded by the absence of the usual rainfall cycles, puts Bihar's paddy crop in genuine jeopardy — and the diesel subsidy window, while welcome, is a reactive fix, not a structural one. If September delivers another below-normal month as forecast, the state's near-complete sowing achievement of 97% could translate into crop loss rather than harvest gain. Bihar's farm distress narrative risks being drowned out by the drama of a single rainy Raksha Bandhan.
NationPress
28 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Which Bihar districts are under orange alert on 28 August 2025?
Twenty districts are under the orange alert: Patna, Jehanabad, Nalanda, Gaya, Nawada, Madhubani, Darbhanga, Samastipur, Begusarai, Sheikhpura, Lakhisarai, West Champaran, East Champaran, Gopalganj, Siwan, Saran, Sitamarhi, Sheohar, Muzaffarpur, and Vaishali. The remaining 18 districts are under a yellow alert.
What does the orange alert mean for Bihar residents?
An orange alert signals the likelihood of heavy rainfall at isolated locations, accompanied by strong winds, requiring residents to stay cautious and follow safety advisories issued by the Disaster Management Department. It is a step below the most severe red alert.
How has Bihar's monsoon performed this season?
Bihar's overall monsoon activity has remained below normal in 2025, with the usual three-to-four-day rainfall cycles largely absent. Around a dozen districts recorded a deficit of approximately 42 per cent between 1 June and 27 August, and the forecast for September also points to below-normal rainfall.
How is the monsoon deficit affecting paddy farmers in Bihar?
The deficit has made it increasingly difficult for farmers to irrigate and protect standing paddy crops. In response, the Agriculture Department began accepting diesel subsidy applications from 17 August, offering ₹750 per acre for diesel-powered pump-set irrigation.
What is Bihar's paddy sowing status for 2025?
Paddy has been sown across approximately 36.85 lakh hectares — about 97 per cent of the state's target of 37.96 lakh hectares. Kishanganj and Gopalganj have reportedly crossed 101 per cent of their targets, though Gaya, Jamui, and Aurangabad are still below the 90 per cent mark.
