“18 Heat-Related Deaths in Bihar, Including 8 Poll Duty Officials”

At least 18 people, including eight officials on election duty, have died from heat-related ailments within a period of 48 hours in Bihar, authorities reported on Friday.

The State Emergency Operation Centre confirmed that 11 of these deaths occurred in Rohtas district, six in Bhojpur, and one in Buxar. Among the deceased, five officials in Rohtas, two in Bhojpur, and one in Buxar were on election duty.

These incidents have occurred as the Sasaram and Karakat Lok Sabha constituencies in Rohtas, the Arrah constituency in Bhojpur, and the Buxar constituency are preparing for the final phase of the general elections on Saturday.

Bihar has been experiencing severe heatwave conditions, with temperatures soaring above 44 degrees Celsius in several areas on Thursday, and Buxar recording a peak of 47.1 degrees Celsius.

In response to the extreme heat, the Bihar government ordered the closure of all private and government-run schools, coaching institutes, and Anganwadi centers until June 8.

Despite the closure for students, state-run schools remained open for teachers, leading to incidents of teachers fainting from the heat in districts like Sheikhpura, Begusarai, Muzaffarpur, and East Champaran.

Author:- Apoorva Arora