Flames of Fury: Indian State Enacts Daytime Burn Ban Amid Severe Heat Wave

In the Indian state of Bihar, people are only allowed to prepare meals before 9 in the morning.

The state government of Bihar has issued a circular to local authorities asking them to strictly enforce an order that prohibits households from cooking food during the day. 

This new rule has been put in place keeping in mind the recurring incidences of fire stoked by hot winds during the day. Around 90% of rural households in Bihar use solid fuel such as dried cow dung and wood fire. When these materials are exposed to hot winds, spontaneous combustion often takes place, leading to massive

fires. 

According to the circular accessed by Sputnik, apart from cooking, limitations have also been imposed on practicing religious rituals that involves fire. Farmers have been advised not to set fire to wheat stalks after harvesting. 

Bihar is currently reeling under an intense heat wave, causing ponds and other natural sources of water to dry up, adding to the difficulties of fire fighters.  

According to official figures, Bihar reported 3,000 incidences of fire in the last two months. At least 53 people lost their lives and thousands of houses have been destroyed. In the last two days alone, almost a thousand houses were destroyed by fire in Darbhanga district, 800 in Saran, over 100 in Vaishali, 160 in Gopalgunj, 150 in East Champaran, 200 in West Champaran and 100 in Samastipur. 

3 persons dead & more than 1000 houses gutted in fire in Bihar's Darbhanga, fire department trying to douse flames pic.twitter.com/5m1RKbxBjF

— ANI (@ANI_news) April 24, 2016