The India Meteorological Department on Friday issued a 'red alert' for extremely heavy rainfall, thunderstorms and lightning over the next 36 hours in nine districts of Bihar. It also issued an 'orange alert' for districts like Arwal, Begusarai, Bhagalpur, Gaya, Jamui, Jehanabad, Kaimur, Katihar, Khagaria, Lakhisarai, Munger, Nalanda, Nawada, Rohtas and Sheikhpura. "Extremely heavy rainfall to very heavy rainfall with thunderstorms, lightning is likely to occur at isolated places in Aurangabad, Banka, Bhagalpur, Gaya, Jamui, Katihar, Munger, Nawada and Rohtas districts in the next two-three days," the IMD said in a bulletin. Red alert denotes 'take action', orange alert 'be prepared', yellow alert 'watch and stay updated' and green alert signifies 'no action needed'.