Bihar orders closure of schools, coaching institutes and anganwadi centres due to heatwave conditions
May 29, 2024
Patna (Bihar) [India], May 29 : 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 till June 8.
The decision came in response to reports of several students fainting due to extreme heatwave conditions.
Chief Secretary Brajesh Mehrotra issued a directive to district magistrates to ensure the closure of these educational institutions.
"For the past few days, many districts of Bihar have been in the grip of a severe intense heatwave. Several districts including Gaya, Aurangabad and Kaimur recorded over 46 degrees Celsius," the order reads.
"On May 29, officials of the Indian Meteorological Department, in a meeting of the Disaster Management Group (CMG), forecasted that the prevailing heatwave conditions are likely to remain till June 8. Therefore, it has been decided that all government and private schools (including coaching institutes) and anganwadi centres will be closed from May 30, 2024, to June 8, 2024, due to the heatwave," the order stated.
Earlier in the day, at least 50 students fainted on Wednesday morning at Mankaul Middle School in the Ariari block of Sheikhpura district of Bihar, due to extreme heatwave conditions, as the temperature is soaring between 40 and 45 degrees Celsius in the district.
Initially, six students lost consciousness, but subsequently, many more students started collapsing. The incident began after the students attended an assembly for prayers and then proceeded to class. The whole matter created chaos in the school and the village.
Reports of children fainting due to the heatwave have also emerged from other schools and districts. In Begusarai district, six students at Matihani Middle School also fainted due to the heat after which they were taken to Matihani PHC hospital for treatment.
According to the data of the India Meteorological Department, on Tuesday, the maximum temperature in the state ranged between 40 and 44 degrees Celsius. The Met Department has also issued a warning for heatwave-like conditions in the state.
