Bihar Heatwave Claims 19 Lives Amid Rising Temperatures, IMD Issues Alert

Bihar is experiencing a severe heatwave with temperatures soaring above 44 degrees Celsius, resulting in the deaths of at least 19 people. Aurangabad district reported the highest toll with 12 fatalities due to heatstroke. In Kaimur district, four people, including a worker on election duty, succumbed to the heat on Thursday, May 30. Additionally, three individuals died in Arrah, Bhojpur district, from the extreme heat.

Dr. Sahil Raj from Kaimur’s Mohania sub-divisional hospital stated that on Thursday, about 40 people affected by heat stroke sought treatment. Among them, two, including a polling personnel, died from heatstroke. Thirty to forty people, including police personnel, received treatment, with some sent home and others still under care.

Dr. Raj shared that a colleague mentioned that Shahnawaz Khan, a teacher, died after returning home from election duty and sleeping. In Buxar, three people, including a youth found on the roadside, died from sunstroke in the Sikraul police station area.

Further Fatalities Across the State

In Nalanda, three individuals lost their lives: a teacher, a home guard jawan, and a farmer. The deceased were identified as Ramesh Prasad (54), Vijay Kumar Sinha, and Surendra Prasad. In Rohtas, three people, including a sub-inspector, died due to heatstroke. In Bhojpur district, Chandrama Giri (80), Gupta Nath Sharma (60), and Keshav Prasad Singh (30) succumbed to the heat.

In West Champaran, two individuals, including a 16-year-old boy named Golu, died from heatstroke. In Gopalganj, a tourist from Nashik, Maharashtra, identified as Somnath Agra (60), died en route to Nepal. Additionally, a head constable from Arunachal Pradesh on election duty in Arwal, Nikku Ahuja, also died from heatstroke.

In Sheikhpura, an Anganwadi assistant succumbed to heatstroke, and another farmer died in Begusarai. Aurangabad reported one additional death. Assistant sub-inspector of police Satish Kumar Ravi from Mohania police station confirmed that four bodies were sent for post-mortems due to heatstroke-related deaths.

Bhojpur District Magistrate Mahendra Kumar reported that three people died in Arrah due to the extreme heat, including a home guard and a presiding officer on duty. Kumar emphasized the high temperatures and the challenges posed by the heatwave, noting that medical teams are on high alert.

Precautionary Measures and IMD Alert

Kumar stated that medical teams and mobile units are on alert, visiting police residential areas and hospitals. The administration is also providing guidance on heatwave precautions to polling personnel handling EVMs.

In Aurangabad, the death toll from the heatwave has reached 12, with over 20 patients admitted to various hospitals, according to health department officials. The Meteorological Department has issued a severe heatwave alert for the next two days across Bihar, with maximum temperatures exceeding 45 degrees Celsius in many districts.