Lightning Kills 83 In Bihar, 24 In UP Amid Heavy Rainfall & Thunderstorms; PM Modi Extends Condolences

Meanwhile, Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar has announced Rs 4 lakhs each for 83 people who lost their lives due to thunderstorms in the state.

(Representative Image/ Getty)

Patna: In a highly tragic incident, at least 83 people lost lives due to lightning and thunderstorm across various parts in Bihar. Similar incidents of thunderstorm and lightning was reported in several districts of Uttar Pradesh were death toll is said to be 24. Apart from deaths, many people were reported to be injured as heavy rain and thunderstorms lashed several areas of north India on Thursday. Bihar State Disaster Management Department (SDMA), earlier today, reported that about 20 people had lost lives but later by the evening, the agency revised the death tally. It announced that 83 people have died due to thunderstorms in Bihar today. Of these, maximum 13 people lost their lives in Gopalganj district. Expressing grief of the incident, PM Modi took to Twitter and said: "In some districts of Bihar and Uttar Pradesh, heavy rains and lightning caused unfortunate death of many people. The state governments are engaged in relief work with promptness. I express my condolences to the families of those who have lost their lives in this disaster." Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar has announced Rs 4 lakhs each for 83 people who lost their lives due to thunderstorms in the state. According to the initial reports, districts like Gopalganj, Nawada and Madhubani were worst hit. As per the district-wise break-up of the death toll, Gopalganj reported 13 fatalities, followed by Madhubani - 8. Siwan and Bhagalpur registered 6 deaths in last 24 hours while East Champaran, Darbhanga and Baka each reported 5 deaths. Thirteen people were struck by lightning while working in their fields, in different blocks of Gopalganj district, Gopalganj Sub-Divisional Officer Upendra Pal told news agency PTI. Barauli and Uchkagaon blocks reported four deaths each followed by two in Gopalganj and one each in Majha, Kateya and Vijay blocks, he said. Meanwhile, in Uttar Pradesh, in the midst of the ongoing coronavirus crisis, 24 people 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 IANS, "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. The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) had predicted rough weather conditions for some areas of Bihar and Uttar Pradesh for Thursday and Friday. Following its forecast, the weather agency had issued a red alert in somme areas of Bihar and warned of possible "severe flood" situation. Though the states had geared up for the calamity, the heavy showers along thunderstorms and lightning lashed various parts of Bihar even before the onset of the monsoon in the state.