The daily trip to school is too hot for Samiksha.

The extreme heat that the three-year-old has to encounter has affected her health. She has been vomiting frequently for the past few days. Her mother Chitra said: “I took my daughter to our family physician yesterday (Sunday). He said she is suffering from heat stroke. Now, we are taking all precautions. Her face and head is covered carefully when we take her to school.”

Not only little children, adults too are feeling the heat. The maximum temperature on Monday was 42.5°C. But the discomfort index indicated that the Patna residents suffered more. Worse, the heat is expected to get more intense, according to the Met department experts.

“The reading on the discomfort index at present is 55 between 8am and 11pm. It should have been around 20. Scorching heat is making life uncomfortable for the people,” Ashish Sen, director (radar), Met department, told The Telegraph.

He added: “Dry westerly winds have started to blow in the state from the day before yesterday (Saturday). There is hardly any moisture in the air. Considering the extreme hot and dry weather in most parts of the state, we have issued a warning that a heat wave is likely to prevail over several parts of Bihar, including Patna, over the next 48 hours (till Wednesday).”

Temperatures would soar. “The maximum temperature could reach up to 43°C,” Sen said.

Samiksha would be spared the inclement weather, as her playschool would close for summer vacation on Wednesday. Other students too would not have to brave the heat. Most private schools in the state have closed early for vacations as the state election commission has requisitioned their buses for poll duty. The civic polls are scheduled on May 17.

Professionals who have no option but to venture out in the infernal heat should take precautions.

Health department secretary Sanjay Kumar told The Telegraph: “We do not issue any advisory or notification regarding heat waves. But we would like to advise the people not to leave home on an empty stomach, take enough water to fight dehydration and cover themselves completely while going out during a heat wave.”

The authorities are, however, not getting ready to provide any relief to the citizens, especially to those from economically backward sections of the society.

Disaster management principal secretary Vyasji said: “A heat wave is not a natural calamity. So, we are not taking any measures as such. But people should take precautionary measures.”