Patna: Bihar continues to reel under an intense heatwave, with temperatures crossing 40 degrees Celsius in at least 10 districts on Thursday. The highest temperature was recorded in Dehri in Rohtas district at 44.6°C, while neighbouring Kaimur registered 44.4°C, pushing normal life out of gear across large parts of the state.
Amid the scorching conditions, district administrations in several areas have ordered the closure of schools. In Gaya and Jehanabad, schools up to Class 5 have been shut, while students from Classes 6 to 8 are being allowed to attend classes only till 11 am. In Patna, authorities have directed all schools up to Class 5 to remain closed till May 26.
Aurangabad administration has also ordered the closure of schools up to Class 8 due to severe heatwave conditions. Classes for students from Class 9 to 12 will function only till 11:30 am. The district recorded temperatures touching 42°C, prompting the administration to remain on high alert.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a red alert for heatwave conditions in 14 districts of Bihar for Friday. Authorities have warned of hot winds and extreme heat during afternoon hours and urged people to step outdoors only if absolutely necessary.
While southern Bihar remained under the grip of extreme heat, weather conditions changed suddenly in parts of north and northeast Bihar. Saharsa, Begusarai and several other districts witnessed rainfall accompanied by strong winds on Thursday. Dark clouds also covered Supaul and Madhubani, leading to temporary relief from the heat.
However, adverse weather claimed three lives due to lightning strikes. In Madhepura, two youths died after being struck by lightning while drying maize near a farmhouse in Lakshmipur Lalchand Panchayat under the Bihariganj police station area. Five others sustained injuries and are undergoing treatment.
The deceased were identified as Ranjit Ram, 22, and Pintu Ram. According to locals, the group was drying maize around 100 metres from their homes when sudden thunder and lightning struck the area.
In Saharsa, a farmer died after being struck by lightning, while around five others were reportedly injured.
In Darbhanga, a strong storm and rain caused partial damage to the Primary Health Centre (PHC) building at Gangwara. False ceilings collapsed at multiple places and parts of the fabric structure reportedly shifted during the storm. An Auxiliary Nurse Midwife (ANM) suffered minor injuries in the incident.
The sudden structural damage triggered panic inside the hospital, forcing doctors, nurses, healthcare staff and patients to rush outside the building. Around 50 health workers safely evacuated the premises. Eyewitnesses said the situation felt “earthquake-like” due to the intensity of the storm.
The PHC had been shifted to the new fabric structure nearly a year ago from an older dilapidated building near the block headquarters due to space constraints and to improve healthcare facilities.
The heatwave also affected students in schools. In Jamui, a Class 8 student identified as Vandana Kumari reportedly fainted due to excessive heat at a government middle school in Bithalpur.
Meanwhile, civic authorities in Begusarai resorted to sprinkling water on roads in an attempt to reduce heat intensity in urban areas.
Meteorologists attributed the prevailing weather conditions to hot and dry westerly and south-westerly winds blowing continuously into Bihar from Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh. The impact is being felt more severely in southern districts, where temperatures continue to rise and heatwave-like conditions persist.
At the same time, moisture from the Bay of Bengal is reaching parts of Seemanchal, leading to cloud formation and isolated rainfall in northeastern Bihar districts. Weather experts believe similar conditions may continue over the next few days.
According to the IMD, southern Bihar is likely to remain the worst affected region, with orange alert districts expected to witness severe heatwave conditions. Authorities have advised residents to avoid stepping out between 12 noon and 4 pm unless necessary.
As of Friday morning, Nalanda recorded a temperature of around 31°C under clear skies, with the maximum temperature expected to reach 39°C later in the day.
