With severe heatwave conditions expected across several districts of Bihar over the coming days, the state government has announced plans to strengthen early warning systems at the village level to protect people from extreme heat and lightning strikes.
Disaster management minister Ratnesh Sada said the government is focusing on safeguarding poor families, daily wage labourers, farmers and other vulnerable communities as temperatures continue to rise across the state. The announcement came after a high-level review meeting held on Wednesday.
The meeting was chaired by Bihar State Disaster Management Authority vice-chairman Uday Kant and attended by officials from the disaster management department and the Bihar Meteorological Service Centre.
According to meteorological centre director C N Prabhu, several districts in southern and central Bihar are likely to face severe heatwave conditions between May 21 and May 26. Maximum temperatures are expected to remain between 41 and 46 degrees Celsius during this period.
Districts likely to be worst affected include Kaimur, Rohtas, Aurangabad, Buxar, Bhojpur, Arwal, Jehanabad, Gaya, Patna, Nalanda, Nawada, Siwan, Saran, Sheikhpura, Lakhisarai, Jamui, Banka and Munger.
Officials warned that temperatures during peak afternoon hours, especially between 11 am and 4 pm, could increase the risk of dehydration, fatigue, dizziness and heatstroke. Residents have been advised to drink sufficient water, wear light cotton clothes and avoid unnecessary outdoor exposure during the hottest part of the day.
The government also plans to intensify awareness campaigns in vulnerable panchayats and improve the dissemination of alerts through the ‘Sachet’ app and other communication platforms.
As part of the preparedness strategy, authorities are planning to form panchayat and ward level response teams comprising ward members, disaster volunteers, trained swimmers, masons and master trainers. These teams will help spread awareness and respond quickly during emergencies linked to heatwaves and lightning strikes.
Uday Kant stressed the importance of implementing the State Plan for Disaster Risk Reduction effectively and said modern technologies are being integrated into Bihar’s disaster management systems to improve response capabilities at the grassroots level.
The move comes as several parts of India continue to battle intense summer heat, with experts warning that climate change is increasing the frequency and severity of extreme weather events across the country.