With temperatures above 44 degrees Celsius, Bihar is experiencing an extreme heatwave that has claimed the lives of at least 19 people.
Twelve people have died in Bihar’s Aurangabad as a result of heat waves, three people died in Bihar’s Arrah in Bhojpur district and four people have died in Kaimur district, including a worker who was on election duty, on Thursday.
About 40 patients suffering from heat stroke visited the Mohania sub-divisional hospital in Kaimur on Thursday, according to physician Sahil Raj.
“Among them, two persons, including polling personnel, had come to me who died due to heat stroke. 30 to 40 people, including police personnel, are undergoing treatment. Many have been sent home after treatment, while others are undergoing treatment,” he said.
“Three people have been reported dead. One of them is a home guard who was brought to the hospital but could not be saved. In addition to this, there was a presiding officer in Jagdishpur who was on duty. He was stabilised and then referred, but he died in the hospital. Another person, Rajesh Ram, collapsed,” Bhojpur District Magistrate Mahendra Kumar said.
Speaking about the precautions that have been taken in the district amid the sweltering heat, Kumar said, “The temperature is very high today, and the heat wave is a challenge for us. We have kept the medical team on alert. If any polling personnel or police personnel face any problems, they are being taken to the hospital. Some people have recovered, but these three cases were unfortunate. Police and mobile medical teams are on alert in all hospitals. They will visit police residential areas. In case of complaints, they will be brought to the dedicated heat wave ward at the municipal hospital.”
On conducting elections amid the extreme heatwave conditions in the district, Kumar said, “This is a challenge, but we need to hold elections as well. The polling party that will carry the EVMs has to follow all the dos and don’ts of the heatwave and try their best not to get out in the sun and facilitate the election process.”
According to officials from the Aurangabad Health Department, the number of deaths in Bihar’s Aurangabad district as a result of heat wave has risen to 12, and more than 20 people have been admitted to various hospitals throughout the area.
The final phase of the Lok Sabha elections is set for Saturday, June 1. Bihar is voting in all seven phases of voting.
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