Over 50 students of Bihar school faint amid severe heatwave

NEW DELHI: With the extreme heatwave conditions in Bihar, over 50 students of Mankaul Middle School in Sheikhpura district fainted on May 29, reported All India Radio. The temperatures in the region are between 40 and 45 degrees celsius.

Six students lost consciousness during the morning assembly at the beginning of the school day. Later, the number quickly increased, causing chaos in the school and village. The unconscious students were given water and electrolytes before being rushed to the district hospital using private vehicles such as bikes, tempos, and e-rickshaws, as the ambulance failed to arrive on time.

Satyendra Kumar, the doctor from Sadar hospital in Bihar Sharif, told AIR that the students suffered from dehydration due to arriving at school without breakfast or water bottles. He advised parents to ensure their children stay hydrated and carry water bottles to school.

Heatwave and Bihar schools

Similar incidents were reported from other districts in Bihar. Recently, six students fainted at Matihani Middle School in Begusarai and were taken to Matihani Primary Healthcare Hospital, reported the news agency, ANI .

Temperatures in Bihar have reached alarming levels, with Aurangabad recording 47.7 degrees Celsius, the highest in the state this season, according to Ashish Kumar from the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) office in Patna. The IMD has issued warnings for continued severe heat in Bihar, with temperatures exceeding 44 degrees celsius in multiple locations. Authorities have advised people to stay cool, avoid heat exposure, and stay hydrated to prevent further incidents.

The heatwave conditions have prompted criticism of the Bihar government for keeping schools open. Teachers, including those from Matihani Middle School, blamed the additional chief secretary of the education department of Bihar for the decision to operate schools despite the severe heat.

"There is no government and democracy in Bihar but only the bureaucracy,” said RJD leader Tejaswi Yadav, seizing the chance to talk about governance while speaking to the press during the Lok Sabha elections. “The CM is so weak that no one listens to him even regarding the timings of school. The temperature is at 47 degrees, the loo is blowing and at least the little children should have some relaxation. The infrastructure of schools in Bihar is not good... But, there is nothing in the CM's hands."