Patna: Scorching heat conditions intensified on Monday as the India Meteorological Department (IMD) issued a red alert for severe heatwave in parts of southwest and south-central Bihar for Tuesday. Orange and yellow alerts have also been issued for the southern regions of the state, with temperatures expected to hover between 42-44 degrees Celsius until June 14.
On Monday, seven districts in Bihar were under severe heatwave conditions, while 11 additional areas faced heatwave warnings. Buxar and Bhojpur recorded the highest temperatures in the state at 45.9 degrees Celsius, while Patna saw a maximum temperature of 41.1 degrees Celsius.
In response to the extreme heat, the education department has ordered the closure of all schools, both government and private, until June 15.
Tragically, two deaths have been reported due to the heatwave, including one in Bhojpur district. The deceased, identified as Vikas Kumar, 28, also known as Mukhiya, was the son of Ramdhari Yadav and a resident of Tirthkol village in the Sandesh police station area. Kumar, a labourer by profession, succumbed to the severe heat.
