Heavy rainfall forecast in Bihar

Patna, Aug 18: Heavy rainfall is expected in many districts of Bihar in the next two days, the weather office said on Tuesday.

Nearly 12 districts in north Bihar have been put on alert in view of the predicted heavy rains, said meteorological department official A.K. Sen.

Bettiah, Motihari, Gopalganj, Siwan and Saran districts are likely to get heavy rainfall.

The news comes as a relief at a time when farmers are staring at a 31 percent deficient in the monsoon, leading to a drought-like situation in the state.

According to official records, nearly two-thirds of the state's population of 10.5 crore is dependent on agriculture for their livelihood. Nearly two-thirds of agricultural activities are dependent on rain.

"Poor rainfall till date has affected paddy sowing and plantation, triggering fears of another drought," an official of the state disaster management department said.