48 killed in lightning strikes in Bihar

Bihar government has announced a compensation of Rs 4 lakh to the victims' families.

Patna: In a major tragedy, 48 people were killed in lightning strikes in Bihar in the last 24 hours.

Five people were killed by lightning in Rohtas district. The death toll in other districts are: ​Patna (4), Aurangabad (4), Nalanda ​(4), Purnea (4), Buxar (3), Saran (3), Kaimur (3), Saharsa (3) and Katihar (3), Bhojpur (2), Samastipur (2), Bhagalpur (2), Monghyr ​(2), Madhepura district (2), West Champaran (1) and Gaya district (1).

In Patna and Rohtas alone, 16 people were injured by the lightning.

The state government has announced a compensation of Rs 4 lakh to the victims' families.

Patna received 17.2 mm rainfall, while the temple town of Gaya registered 32.6 mm of rainfall. Bhagalpur received 25.7 mm of rain and recorded a maximum of 36.7 degrees Celsius, the MeT Department said yesterday.

A man and his son became victims of the lightning strike while they were returning home from field in Darmikala village under Tandwa police station.

Under Daudnagar police station, one person each became victim of lightning strikes in Aarai and Pansa villages.

Officials said the victims' families would get Rs four lakh each as compensation for death in natural calamity.