12 more killed in lightning strike incidents in Bihar

PATNA: Altogether 10 people were killed in separate incidents of lightning strikes in Bihar's nine districts in the past 24 hours, a communique issued from the chief minister’s office (CMO) said here on Sunday.
Besides these 10 deaths, lightning claimed the lives of two more people, including a woman, in Nawada district on Sunday. The victims were identified as 39-year-old Rajesh Yadav from Bareba village under Pakribarma police station, and 48-year-old Leela Devi from Mahakar village under Roh police station.
Rajesh lost his life while seeking shelter under a tree to avoid rain and lightning, while Leela was fatally struck while harvesting “moong” pods from her agricultural plot.
Earlier on Saturday, nine people were killed in separate incidents of lightning strikes in six districts of the state.
Altogether 25 people were killed in separate incidents of lightning strikes across the state in the last five days, officials said.
Chief minister Nitish Kumar on Sunday expressed grief over the death of 10 people in nine districts and asked officials to ensure immediate payment of ex gratia of Rs 4 lakh each to the next kin of deceased persons.
Nalanda and Nawada each reported two deaths, followed by one each in Vaishali, Bhagalpur, Saharsa, Rohtas, Saran, Jamui, Bhojpur and Gopalganj district.
“Nitish further appealed to common people to remain alert and vigilant during the inclement weather and follow the suggestions issued from time to time by the state’s disaster management department to save themselves from the lightning strikes and impact of bad weather,” the communique issued from the CMO said.
The CM also urged people to remain inside the home during inclement weather to save themselves from the lightning strikes.