The harsh humidity is back.

Residents of Patna are experiencing hot and humid conditions for the past three days, an unusual phenomenon this time of the year, as temperatures generally remain low in October.

The city recorded a maximum temperature of 36.6 degrees Celsius, four notches above normal, said an official with the Patna Meteorological Centre.

What has compounded the heat misery is the high humidity level the city has been witnessing for the past three days.

Patna witnessed 75 per cent humidity on Monday and on Sunday it was 78 per cent. The increased temperature coupled with high humidity made the weather conditions uncomfortable. The absence of rainfall in the past 48 hours has led to increase in maximum temperature by a few notches in Patna, said the weatherman.

Patna Meteorological Centre director Sumendu Sengupta explained: "Whenever an area witnesses high temperature, low-pressure is formed over it and vice-versa. As a consequence, winds from high pressure areas rush to fill the low pressure areas. This increases the humidity."

Saloni Singh (50), an owner of a playschool, said: "Patna was never this humid. I could easily go out for evening strolls in May. It is strange that you don't even feel like venturing out in October."

Saloni is not the only one feeling this way.

Retired bureaucrat Krishnanand Prasad said: "Till last year, I could go for walks after dinner. This year, the weather has been stifling, making me lethargic most of the time."

On preventive measures to be taken to fight humidity, physician Ajay Kumar said: "Increased levels of humidity cause sweating and a constant feeling of restlessness, constipation, chronic headaches, fatigue and nausea. Consume as much water as you can."

The Met has forecast partly cloudy sky with possibility of rain or thunder or dust storm in Patna between October 5 and October 10.