Heatwave in Bihar kills 45 people in 24 hours; Patna records highest temp in 10 years

Heatwave in Bihar: Deaths due to the heatwave were reported from Aurangabad, Gaya and Nawada districts.

Heatwave in Bihar: Severe heatwave killed at least 45 people and more than 100 hospitalised in the past 24 hours in Bihar, officials said on Sunday. (ANI)

Heatwave in Bihar: Severe heatwave killed at least 45 people and more than 100 hospitalised in the past 24 hours in Bihar, officials said on Sunday. Deaths due to the heatwave were reported from Aurangabad, Gaya and Nawada districts. Gaya and Patna recorded temperature above 45 degree Celsius on Saturday. Meanwhile, Patna recorded its highest maximum temperature in the past 10 years at 45.8 degrees celsius yesterday, the meteorological department said. Aurangabad civil surgeon Dr Surendra Prasad Singh confirmed 27 deaths due to the heatwave till late Saturday night. "Dozens are being treated for it in different hospitals," he was quoted as saying. Gaya District Magistrate Abhishek Singh confirmed 14 deaths, while another district official confirmed five deaths in Nawada. In both the districts, more than 60 people are being treated for heatwave.

Bihar: 12 people died due to heat stroke at Anugrah Narayan Magadh Medical College in Gaya. DM says "Out of the 12, 7 were from Gaya, 2 from Aurangabad, 1 from Chatra, 1 from Sheikhpura and 1 from Nawada. 25 patients are admitted here, efforts on to bring them back to normalcy." pic.twitter.com/S8FXO25yWR

— ANI (@ANI) June 15, 2019

Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar has expressed grief over the deaths and announced a compensation of Rs 4 lakh to the kin of the victims. The government has also issued a heat alert in the wake of the rising death toll and advised people to take care while going outside during day time. While, Union Health Minister Dr Harsh Vardhan also expressed concern over the deaths saying, "It's very unfortunate that people have died due to heat stroke. I advise people to avoid moving out of house till temperature reduces. Intense heat affects brain and leads to various health issues."

Union Health Min Dr Harsh Vardhan in Patna on death of 12 ppl due to heat stroke in Gaya:It's very unfortunate that ppl have died due to heat stroke.I advise ppl to avoid moving out of house till temperature reduces.Intense heat affects brain&leads to various health issues.#Bihar pic.twitter.com/B6AWRiDlNN

— ANI (@ANI) June 16, 2019

Meanwhile, the Bihar government on Saturday said all schools in the city will remain closed till June 19 in view of the prevailing weather condition. Patna district magistrate Kumar Ravi said all government and private schools of Patna will remain shut till June 19, due to persisting heatwave-like condition for the past several days, an official release said. A number of private schools were scheduled to open in the week starting June 17 after the summer vacation. This is the second time the district administration has extended suspension of academic activities in schools due to the weather. (With inputs from agencies)