Patna, Jun 20 (IANS): The much-awaited monsoon has entered Bihar, rains lashing several parts of the state Wednesday and bringing much-needed relief to people, particularly farmers, an official here said.

"Widespread rains are likely in the next 48 hours across the state," he added.

Meteorological department officials here said that monsoon will be active over Bihar within 24 hours following "development of a low pressure system" in the north Bay of Bengal. "The state can expect a normal monsoon this year," the official said.

D.C. Gupta from the Patna meteorological centre said that intense heat conditions in Bihar were over now. "The sky over Patna is partly cloudy since Sunday and rains lashed the city Monday as well as Tuesday. Rains may lash Wednesday also," he said.

People, particularly farmers, who were worried till two days ago and held special prayers to invoke the rain gods, celebrated Wednesday.

Delayed monsoon and scorching heat have forced the Bihar government to announce the extension of the summer vacation in both private as well as government schools till June 23, officials said.

"Now all schools will re-open June 25," an official in the state education department said.

The monsoon usually hits Bihar between June 11 and June 13. But this year, it was delayed by over a week and scorching heat since May created havoc as it affected normal life of the people for nearly one and half months.

This year, the maximum temperature in Patna has been hovering above 43.5 degrees celsius since early May. Last week, Patna recorded the highest temperature of 45.6 degrees celsius.