Heat stroke claimed lives of 56 people in three districts of central Bihar- Aurangabad, Gaya and Nawada as Aurangabad district alone recorded maximum 30 deaths so far.
Gaya and Nawada districts recorded 19 and 7 deaths respectively. Majority of the deceased were above 60 years of age.
The temperature is hovering around 46 degree Celsius in these three districts.
Aurangabad district magistrate Rahul Ranjan Mahiwal said that around 28 people were still undergoing treatment at Aurangabad Sadar Hospital after suffering heat stroke. He said it had been found that several doctors were absent from their duty when the people hit by sunstroke started reaching Sadar Hospital in the afternoon yesterday. He said departmental proceedings would be initiated against the erring doctors.
Meanwhile, civil surgeon of Aurangabad Surendra Prasad Singh said that the condition of 5-6 people undergoing treatment at Sadar Hospital was serious. At least 30 have died due to heat stroke in Aurangabad district since yesterday, he added.
According to a report from Gaya, 19 people have died due to heat stroke at Gaya based Anugrah Narain Magadh Medical College and Hospital (ANMCH) during the last 24 hours.
Around 25 people were still undergoing treatment at ANMCH. Sources said seven deceased were natives of Gaya district, two from Aurangabad district and one each from Sheikhpura, Nawada and neighbouring Chatra district in Jharkhand. Sources said 7 heat stroke victims were declared brought dead at the hospital. At least 44 people suffering from heat stroke had admitted to ANMCH so far.
Gaya district magistrate Abhishek Singh said that attempts were being made to bring down the body temperature of people suffering from heat stroke. He said a team of senior doctors had been pressed into service.
Sub-divisional officer (Sadar) is camping at the hospital continuously, he added.
DM said ex gratia of Rs 4 lakh was being paid to the family members of each deceased.
