In move to curb increasing incidents of fire in the state, the Bihar government has issued a bizarre advisory that there should be no cooking during day time.
People living in rural areas should finish cooking by 9.00 in the morning and start preparing their dinner only after 6.00 in the evening as the government believes that heavy winds may pick up sparks from cooking fires and ignite straw huts.
Disaster Management principal secretary Vyasji said, "Summer is at its peak and accidents happen due to fire."
The advisory issued on Monday has also banned all religious functions involving fire between 9 am and 6 pm in rural areas. Those who violate the order can be jailed for up to two years.
Heat wave condition is likely to continue to prevail for the next couple of days in Bihar, with Patna and Bhagalpur recording a maximum temperature of 43.6 degrees Celsius on Thursday making them the hottest places in the state.
Reports said fires caused by the heat wave have so far claimed the lives of over 36 people and gutted 2,500 houses. Over 700 houses had been gutted in the recent Darbhanga fire.
