India is witnessing one of the most brutal summers this year. India Meteorological Department (IMD) data shows there have been 32 heatwaves this year –  the second longest spell of high temperatures in the country’s recorded history. Several parts of the country have gone past the previous high-temperature record. However, the condition in Bihar is worse, 61 people have died in the state due to heatwave till June 16, reported The Times Of India.

The worst affected districts- Aurangabad, Nawada, and Gaya had witnessed 44 fatalities till June 15 midnight. The blistering heat wave has added 17 more death cases to the total death toll on Sunday (16 June 2019).

As of now, the death toll in the district of Aurangabad is the highest at 30, followed by Gaya which is 20, and in Nawada, 11 people have died. Pratyaya Amrit, the state disaster management department principal secretary has confirmed the death toll. He has confirmed that postmortem in most of the cases have pointed out heatwave to be the cause of death.

Abhishek Singh, the District Magistrate has advised the residents to take adequate precaution against the soaring high temperature. He has asked the residents to avoid getting exposed under the direct sun for a longer period of time.

The sudden rise in the number of death tolls in the district of Nawada has paralysed the emergency services in the government hospital, forcing the Kausah Kumar, the district collector to convene an emergency meeting with hospital officials. The condition in Aurangabad is anticipated to worsen as multiple patients due to heatwave were admitted to various hospitals.

Bihar Chief Minister, Nitish Kumar has expressed grief over deaths and declared a compensation of Rs 4 lakh to the bereaved family. He has also instructed all the district magistrate to take appropriate steps to prevent the rising number of deaths.

The state’s capital Bihar has failed to escape from the clutches of high temperatures. The city on June 15 recorded 45.8 degrees, the highest in last decade. The minimum temperature was 31 degrees which was 4.2 degrees more than the normal temperature for this time this year. Following the persisting heatwave like condition, Kumar Ravi, district magistrate of Patna has asked all the schools to remain shut till June 19. This is the second time that district magistrate has extended the summer vacation. Earlier, the schools were supposed to reopen on June 9.

Also Read: With Rains In Delhi And Other Parts Of North India, Scorching Heatwave Gets A Breather