The Bihar State Disaster Management Authority (BDSMA) is gearing up to tackle fire incidents during summer.

The authority has decided to rope in the services of representatives of panchayati raj institutions and civil society organisations besides government machinery to make people aware of the threat and preventive steps needed to mitigate the damages.

The authority is a statutory body created under the provisions of Disaster Management Act, 2005, passed by Parliament.

Official records say the state saw 164 fire-related deaths in 2016, a major rise from 44 and 39 in 2014 and 2015 respectively. Ten fire-related deaths have already been reported this year. "Unlike in the past when major fire incidents would be reported from West and East Champaran, most fire-related deaths were reported from other districts last year, forcing us to look into the reasons," BSDMA vice-chairman Vyasji told The Telegraph on Thursday.

Analysis showed that in the fire-prone zones of West Champaran district, local panchayats played a major role in bringing down fire-related deaths. They communicated to people that they should avoid cooking from 8am till the evening - a period during which the Westerlies blow in full swing in summer (March end to mid-June). When the Westerlies are in peak, even a spark could wreak havoc for thatched houses and harvested wheat lying in the fields.

In case of East Champaran district it was found that some civil society organisations, with the help of religious leaders from both Hindu and Muslim communities, created awareness among people, leading to precautions and mitigation of the fire threat.

"Based on these findings we have decided to rope in panchayats and civil society organisations at the grassroots level to disseminate information about fire safety this year," Vyasji said. The disaster management and fire departments, too, had come forward to organise the programme in Patna on Friday. People from across the state, including experts, would take part in the programme. The vice-chairman said that some representatives of panchayati raj institutions from West Champaran and those of civil society organisations from East Champaran would share their experience with participants.

The disaster management authority has already started work by publishing advertisements in newspapers about the dos and don'ts for fire safety. Mass messaging is being used to reach out to people including mukhiyas, who head the panchayats. Also, advisories are being issued by the district administration.

Advisories have also been issued to the districts to keep fire tenders ready near areas prone to fire threat. Data from last year is being used to identify such areas.

The government provides Rs 4 lakh to affected families for each fire-related death. For immediate relief to the affected families, Rs 3,000 is provided, another Rs 3,000 for purchasing a month's ration, Rs 2,000 for clothes and Rs 1,800 for utensils.