Eight die of suspected heat stroke as Bihar reels under intense heatwave
Patna, May 30: Intense heatwave conditions prevailed across Bihar on Thursday where the mercury soared past the 44 degrees Celsius mark in many places while eight persons lost their lives in the state suspected to have been caused by the scorching weather.
The state disaster management department, while confirming the number of deaths, said the cause of death could not be ascertained since most of the bereaved family members refused to go for post-mortem examinations while reports of the other deceased are awaited.
The state reeled under the sizzling heat as the day temperature crossed 44 deg C at several places across the state on Thursday.
Buxar recorded the highest temperature of 47.1 deg C.
Eight deaths due to suspected heat stroke were reported from Arwal, Buxar, Rohtas and Begusarai districts.
"Only after receiving the autopsy reports, the authorities will be in a position to state the reasons behind the deaths. As of now, we can't comment on this. Some post-mortem examination reports are awaited. We are waiting for that,'' a senior official of the state Disaster Management Department said.
Amid intense heatwave conditions in the state, the Bihar government on Wednesday ordered the closure of all private and government-run schools, coaching institutes and Anganwadi centres until June 8.
Incidents of school teachers fainting were reported from Sheikhpura, Begusarai, Muzaffarpur and East Champaran districts, and other regions due to the scorching heat. State-run schools are closed for students, not for teachers.
Severe heat will continue in several parts of Bihar in the coming days, the Met department said.
At 47.1 deg C, Buxar was the hottest place in the state on Thursday.
Places that recorded temperatures over 44 deg C are Aurangabad (46.1 deg C ), Dehri (46 deg C), Gaya (45.2 deg C), Arwal (44.8 deg C) and Bhojpur (44.1 deg C).
In Patna, the maximum temperature was recorded at 40.7 deg C.
"People are advised to avoid heat exposure, keep cool and avoid dehydration," said the official.
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Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee holds roadshow in south Kolkata to end campaign
Kolkata (PTI): Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee undertook a roadshow in south Kolkata spanning over six kilometres on Monday afternoon at the fag end of campaigning for the second and final phase of the West Bengal assembly election.
The TMC chief was accompanied by party Rajya Sabha MP Sagarika Ghose and candidates Aroop Biswas and Debasish Kumar from Tollygunge and Rashbehari, respectively.
People waiting on the roadside and on rooftops and balconies waved at Banerjee as she greeted them with folded hands, walking briskly, as her party compatriots had a tough time keeping pace with her.
The chief minister is contesting from the Bhabanipur assembly seat, where she is pitted against her bete noire, Suvendu Adhikari of the BJP, who defeated her in the 2021 elections in Nandigram.
Banerjee was subsequently elected from Bhabanipur in a byelection.
The roadshow started at Sukanta Setu in the Jadavpur area and culminated at Gopalnagar crossing, past her Kalighat residence, with two small stopovers in between.
TMC flags, festoons, cutouts of Banerjee and banners with slogans in favour of the candidates adorned the roadsides through which the road show passed and culminated at around 5.30 pm.
A large number of TMC supporters participated in the roadshow that Banerjee conducted to end her campaign for the 2026 assembly election in West Bengal.
