Patna: In response to the blistering heat wave gripping Bihar, the state government has taken decisive action. On May 29, Chief Secretary Brajesh Mehrotra issued a directive ordering the closure of all public and private schools, coaching institutes, and anganwadi centers until June 8. This move, spurred by Chief Minister Nitish Kumar’s concern, aims to protect students amidst reports of numerous fainting incidents attributed to the extreme weather.
With temperatures soaring above 44° Celsius across various regions, the Chief Secretary convened a high-level meeting to evaluate the preparedness of relevant departments in addressing the heatwave crisis. Reports of students collapsing have surfaced from Sheikhpura, Begusarai, East Champaran, and other areas, further emphasizing the urgency of the situation.
In light of these incidents, RJD leader and former deputy Chief Minister Tejashwi Yadav has called on the government to implement immediate preventive measures to safeguard schoolchildren from the heatwave’s effects. He criticized the Chief Minister’s apparent lack of intervention and questioned the efficacy of his directives.
Meanwhile, the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecasted that heatwave conditions will persist for another three to four days in Bihar. Officials from the Bihar Disaster Management Department have advised residents to minimize heat exposure, stay hydrated, and take measures to stay cool during this challenging period.