At least 19 people have died as Bihar experiences intense heatwave conditions, with temperatures exceeding 44 degrees Celsius, amid Lok Sabha elections.
Of these, as many as 16 people died due to heat-related causes in just two hours in the district hospital in Bihar’s Aurangabad. Four of these people died in Kaimur, including a worker on election duty. The maximum temperature in the city was 44 degrees Celsius on Thursday and, at 48.2 degrees Celsius, it was the hottest place in Bihar on Wednesday, setting a record for the state.
A doctor said at least 35 more patients have been admitted because of heat-related causes, but added that all arrangements are in place, NDTV reported.
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Meanwhile, three other people have died in Bihar’s Arrah in Bhojpur district after suffering from extreme heatwaves in the region, ANI reported.
Bihar has been reeling under a heatwave and the state government had, on Wednesday, ordered the closure of all private and government-run schools, coaching institutes and anganwadi centres till June 8. The decision was taken after dozens of students fainted due to the heat.
Earlier, RJD leader and former deputy chief minister Tejashwi Yadav had hit out at the Bihar government and Chief Minister Nitish Kumar.
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“There is no democracy or government in Bihar. There is only bureaucracy. Why is the Chief Minister so weak? The temperature is 47 degrees. Doctors say that children must be protected in such weather conditions. And here, schools are open,” he had said.
The India Meteorological Department has issued an alert of severe heatwave for the next two days in the state.
(With inputs from ANI)