Lightning wreaks havoc: 83 killed in Bihar, 24 in UP; PM Modi expresses anguish over loss of lives
Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar announced Rs 4 lakhs each for the families of deceased. Authorities have appealed to people to stay indoors during rains and not stand beneath the trees.
New Delhi: At least 83 people were killed by lightning in various districts of Bihar, and 24 in Uttar Pradesh as heavy downpour and thunderstorm lashed several areas of north India on Thursday. Many are reported to be injured in the lightning strike.
According to reports, 8 people were killed in Madhubani and Nawada district each, six each in Bhagalpur and Siwan, and five each in Banka, Darbhanga and East Champaran districts.
Due to thunderstorms, two people each lost their lives in West Champaran, Kishanganj, Jamui, Jahanabad, Purnia, Supaul, Buxar, Kaimur while one death each was reported in Samastipur, Shivhar, Saran, Sitamarhi and Madhepura.
Gopalganj worst-hit district
Gopalganj district reported the highest number of deaths, at 13, followed by five in Darbhanga, four in Siwan and two each in Madhubani and West Champaran districts, they said.
All Thirteen people are supposed to have been struck by lightning while working in their fields. Authorities have appealed to people to stay indoors during rains and not stand underneath any tree.
Nitish announces 4 lakh ex-gratia for kin of deceased
Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar announced Rs 4 lakhs each for the families of deceased.
Thirteen people died in Gopalganj, 8 each in Madhubani and Nawada, 6 each in Baghalpur and Siwan, 5 each in Darbhanga, Banka, East Champaran and 3 each in Khagaria and Aurangabad.
24 killed by lightning in Uttar Pradesh’
In Uttar Pradesh, 24 people have died in lightning strikes in the state amid heavy rain and thunderstorm. Out of them, nine died in Deoria district alone.
Uttar Pradesh Relief Commissioner Sanjay Goyal told media, “Amid rain and thunderstorms, 24 people have died due to lightning strikes in various districts of the state today – one in Kushinagar, one in Fatehpur, one in Unnao, 9 in Deoria, 2 in Barabanki, 6 in Prayagraj, 3 in Ambedkar Nagar and 1 person has died in Balrampur.
PM Modi anguished at loss of lives
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday condoled the loss of lives in Uttar Pradesh and Bihar due to heavy rains and lightening.
He said the two state governments are carrying out the relief work with promptness.
बिहार और उत्तर प्रदेश के कुछ जिलों में भारी बारिश और आकाशीय बिजली गिरने से कई लोगों के निधन का दुखद समाचार मिला। राज्य सरकारें तत्परता के साथ राहत कार्यों में जुटी हैं। इस आपदा में जिन लोगों को अपनी जान गंवानी पड़ी है, उनके परिजनों के प्रति मैं अपनी संवेदना प्रकट करता हूं।
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) June 25, 2020
“Received tragic news about death of several people in some districts of Uttar Pradesh and Bihar due to heavy rains and lightening. The state governments are engaged in relief work with promptness,” he tweeted in Hindi.