Patna, April 23 (IANS) Bihar is reeling under severe heatwave conditions, with temperatures in Patna continuously crossing the 40 degree Celsius mark over the past several days, making life increasingly difficult for residents.

In response, District Magistrate (DM) Tyagarajan S.M. on Thursday issued directives under the Heatwave Action Plan, placing the district administration on high alert.

As many as 15 government departments have been instructed to remain vigilant and ensure coordinated action to protect public health.

The administration has identified children, pregnant women, lactating mothers, the elderly, and individuals with pre-existing health conditions as the most vulnerable groups requiring special care during the ongoing heatwave.

The DM noted that dry weather conditions and low humidity increase the likelihood of ‘loo’ (hot winds), significantly raising health risks.

He said that some of the common symptoms of heat exposure are excessive sweating, rapid breathing, muscle cramps, nausea, vomiting, or diarrhoea, extreme thirst, high fever, and fainting in severe cases.

The administration has initiated measures at three levels such as administrative level, medical college and district hospital level, and community level.

Patna Civil Surgeon-cum-Chief Medical Officer Lakhindra Prasad has been directed to sensitise all healthcare personnel about heatstroke symptoms, first aid measures, and emergency response protocols to ensure timely treatment.

He also said that all government hospitals — from medical colleges to primary health centres — have been instructed to maintain adequate stocks of life-saving medicines for heatstroke treatment.

Separate data records must be maintained for all heatwave-related cases across healthcare facilities and immediate admission and treatment protocols have been mandated for severe cases.

Residents can seek assistance via the state health helpline ‘104’, operated under the State Health Society in Patna.

Authorities have emphasised the importance of awareness, early detection, and preventive care to minimise risks.

The district administration has directed all concerned departments to implement these measures on priority to safeguard lives amid intensifying heatwave conditions.

–IANS

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