Heatwave Crisis in Bihar Claims 14 Lives, Forces School Shutdowns

In Bihar, 14 people, including 10 polling personnel, have died due to heatstroke within the last 24 hours amid extreme heatwave conditions. The state government has initiated ex-gratia for the families and mandated closures of schools and other institutions to prevent further casualties, while taking measures to ensure public safety.

Fourteen people, including 10 polling personnel, have died due to heatstroke in Bihar in the last 24 hours, officials said on Friday afternoon.

In a statement, the Disaster Management Department said that most of the fatalities were reported from Bhojpur district, where five officials on election duty died of heatstroke.

Three election officials died in Rohtas, and one each died in Kaimur and Aurangabad districts, it said.

Four other people died in different parts of the state, it added.

The process of granting ex-gratia to the families of the deceased has been initiated, said the statement.

The state is reeling under sizzling heat as the mercury crossed 43 degrees Celsius at several places. On Friday, Aurangabad was the hottest at 44 degrees Celsius.

Due to the heatwave conditions, all schools, coaching institutes and anganwadi centres have been shut till June 8.

Chief Minister Nitish Kumar directed district magistrates (DMs) to take preventative measures to tackle the situation.

Kumar instructed that arrangements should be made at every level for the safety of common people across the state, according to a statement issued by the Chief Minister's Office (CMO).

''There should be adequate arrangements of drinking water at various places in all districts. The public should be made aware of the symptoms of heatwaves and their prevention. Provide immediate medical facilities to everyone in case of illness. People affected by heatwaves should be treated immediately in hospitals/medical colleges,'' the statement quoted him as saying.

''The CM has also instructed that be it a village or city, there should not be unnecessary power cuts anywhere. Proper supply of electricity must be ensured in villages as well as in the cities,'' it added.

In a post on X, leader of opposition Tejashwi Yadav said, ''When government-run schools have already been closed because of pressure from the opposition, why are teachers being asked to come to schools in this intense heat wave conditions? What will teachers do when students themselves are not in school? Teachers must be given leave in this scorching heat.'' Elections to the 40 Lok Sabha constituencies in Bihar were being held over seven phases, with polling in the last eight seats scheduled on Saturday.