NEW DELHI: Soaring
heatwave
across the northern plains on Thursday claimed 8 lives in Bihar. According to the
IMD
data, the mercury reached 44 degrees Celsius in many parts of the state.
The
disaster management department
confirmed the number of deaths. However, cause of death could not be ascertained since many bereaved families have declined post-mortem examinations.
Reports for the remaining deceased individuals are still pending.
Deaths due to suspected heatstroke 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.
Earlier, the Bihar government ordered the closure of all private and government-run schools, coaching institutes and Anganwadi centres until June 8 due to severe weather conditions.
Meanwhile, two children died reportedly of heatstroke in Madhya Pradesh's Gwalior.
The children's father said, "I was out for work. They left home around 9-9.30 am to get medicines. When they returned, they fell ill and died. My mother and wife were with them. They died of heatstroke."
Chief medical and health officer Dr RK Rajoriya said the children were brought dead to the hospital. Dr Rajoriya said, "We had rushed our team there. The two children had gone out in an autorickshaw. They were returning with their mother and grandmother. While returning they felt discomfort. One of the children was already ill and had a fever."
"The other one was healthy. They were taken to the hospital but were brought dead. The relatives did not have any postmortem done or inform the police," he added.
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