It's autumn but people in Patna and other parts of the state are not so lucky. They are still being forced to endure an extended summer, sweating under extreme humid conditions and a blazing hot sun. Some are looking at the sky for respite but it is proving futile.

The maximum temperature has been hovering around 36-37 degrees Celsius. For Patna, it was 36.4ºC on Saturday and 37ºC on Friday - a good four degrees above the average normal temperature on both days. Readings in the same range were recorded at Bhagalpur, Purnea and Gaya. The situation was worsened by high levels of relative humidity - moisture present in the air.

The relative humidity for Patna has been hovering between 59 and 71 per cent.

People are falling ill while many are finding it difficult to venture out to schools, colleges, offices and shops under the sweltering tropical heat.

'Many of our students are complaining of heat-induced headache, indigestion, vomiting, and stomach ache. Some have even fallen ill and are missing out on classes. We are advising girls to keep themselves hydrated,' said head of the department of mass communication at Patna Women's College, Minati Chaklanavis.

Weathermen are attributing the prevailing situation in Patna and other parts of Bihar to several factors, including the position of the sun, which during this time of the year is aligned above the Tropic of Cancer, beaming rays perpendicularly in the tropical region of the northern hemisphere. And, Bihar lies close to the Tropic of Cancer.

India Meteorological Department (IMD) scientist Anand Shankar, based at its Patna centre told The Telegraph: 'Moisture incursion from the Bay of Bengal is high in Bihar due to continuous easterly and southeasterly winds. Some rainfall in south Bihar districts is also increasing the moisture content. Heat is already there and humidity is increasing its real feel - also known as heat index - to discomforting and dangerous levels.'

Dr V.P. Sinha, a physician at Patna Medical College and Hospital, told The Telegraph: 'Various types of bacterial, viral, microbial and vector-borne diseases rise in these conditions. We are getting such cases in increasing numbers.'

Sinha advised that people should eat freshly cooked food and avoid dining outside. They must also drink clean water to avoid chances of falling ill.

But IMD scientists predict that chances of rain are building up over Bihar, especially owing to the influence of cyclonic circulation over the Bay of Bengal. Heavy rain may occur over Bihar on October 10, which may bring relief from the stifling heat<>.