12 more die in lightning strikes in Bihar, toll hits 37 in 6 days

PATNA: Twelve more people were killed in lightning strikes in seven districts of Bihar in the past 24 hours, CM Nitish Kumar's office said Monday.
With the fresh fatalities, 37 people have lost their lives due to lightning strikes in the state in the last six days, including 25 in the last 48 hours.
Nitish expressed grief over the latest deaths and asked officials to immediately pay ex gratia of Rs 4 lakh each to the kin of the deceased.
"Jamui and Kaimur each reported three deaths, followed by two deaths in Rohtas and one each death in Saharsa, Saran, Bhojpur and Gopalganj districts," the chief minister's office (CMO) said.
Nitish appealed to people to remain alert during the monsoon and follow advisories issued by the disaster management department to save themselves from lightning strikes. The chief minister also urged people to stay indoors as much as possible.