New Delhi, March 27 -- The India Meteorological Department (IMD) today issued an orange alert for Bihar, Jharkhand, West Bengal, Sikkim and Assam, predicting heavy rain on 27 March. Citing active Western Disturbances, the IMD has forecast rain, snowfall, thunderstorms and gusty winds across the Western Himalayan region till 31 March. The weather office has also forecast scattered rainfall over the northwest plains.

IMD in its latest press release said, "Isolated to scattered rainfall/snowfall with thunderstorm, lightning & gusty winds likely over Western Himalayan region till 27th and scattered to fairly widespread during 28th -31st March in associated with Western Disturbances. Isolated to scattered rainfall activity also likely over pl...