Patna administration readies heatwave action plan as mercury crosses 40°C mark

Patna: With temperatures crossing the 40°C mark in several parts of Bihar, the Patna district administration has chalked out a multi-departmental heatwave action plan to mitigate health risks, especially among vulnerable groups. The move comes after the India Meteorological Department (IMD) recorded temperatures above 40°C at seven locations in the state over the last 24 hours.Dehri in Rohtas district registered the highest maximum temperature at 43°C, while Patna recorded 41.3°C. A yellow heatwave warning remains in effect for Buxar, Bhojpur, Arwal, Aurangabad, Rohtas and Kaimur districts.District magistrate Thiyagarajan S M on Thursday directed all departments to strictly implement disaster management standard operating procedures, with special focus on children, pregnant women and senior citizens. He said, “Health officials have been instructed to set up dedicated heatstroke isolation wards in all hospitals and ensure adequate availability of ORS packets, intravenous fluids and essential life-saving medicines. Besides, the public health engineering department (PHED) and municipal bodies have been directed to repair defunct hand pumps on a war footing and deploy water tankers in areas facing drinking water shortages.”Education officials were directed to ensure potable water in schools and raise awareness about hydration during morning assemblies, he added. The labour resources department has been instructed to regulate working hours at construction sites, provide shaded rest areas and supply ice packs to workers.The transport department has been asked to equip public transport vehicles with first-aid kits, while the animal husbandry department will arrange trenches and water pits for livestock. Moreover, fire services have been placed on high alert in view of increased fire risk during dry conditions.Meanwhile, the IMD has forecast a change in weather from April 24 under the influence of a western disturbance. Light to moderate rain, thunderstorms and gusty winds of 40–50 kmph are expected in parts of north-eastern Bihar, while thunderstorms and lightning may extend across much of the state till April 29.Citizens have been advised to avoid afternoon travel, wear light cotton clothing and stay hydrated.