At least 47 people lost their lives due to lightning strikes and rain-related incidents in Bihar and Uttar Pradesh on Thursday, according to a report by PTI. In Bihar alone, 25 people were killed due to lightning and hailstorms across several districts. The worst hit was Nalanda, where 18 deaths were reported. Other districts with casualties include Siwan (2 deaths), and Katihar, Darbhanga, Begusarai, Bhagalpur, and Jehanabad with one death each.
Just a day earlier, on Wednesday, 13 people had died in lightning strikes across four districts of Bihar. Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar expressed grief over the deaths and announced a ₹4 lakh compensation for the families of those who died. While official figures report 25 deaths in Bihar due to lightning and rain-related incidents, RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav claimed that over 50 people have died across the state in rain-related tragedies, including storms, tree collapses, and wall collapses.
In a post on X (formerly Twitter), he wrote in Hindi, “I am deeply saddened by the tragic deaths of more than 50 people in various incidents of storm, rain, lightning, tree and wall collapse in Bihar. I express my deepest condolences. May God give strength to the families affected by the disaster.”
Meanwhile, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued an ‘orange alert’ (be prepared) for several districts including Darbhanga, Gopalganj, East and West Champaran, Patna, Nalanda, Nawada, Sitamarhi, Sheohar, Kishanganj, Araria, Supaul, and Gaya. Heavy rainfall is expected on Friday and Saturday, according to PTI.
Similar incidents in Uttar Pradesh
In neighbouring Uttar Pradesh, at least 22 people lost their lives across 15 districts due to heavy rainfall, hailstorms, and lightning, as per the Relief Commissioner’s office. Among the casualties, three people each died in Fatehpur and Azamgarh, two each in Firozabad, Kanpur Dehat, and Sitapur, and one person each in Ghazipur, Gonda, Amethi, Sant Kabir Nagar, Siddharth Nagar, Ballia, Kannauj, Barabanki, Jaunpur, and Unnao districts.
Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath expressed condolences to the families of the deceased and directed officials to immediately distribute ₹4 lakh as relief to the next of kin. He also instructed authorities to ensure proper treatment for the injured and to provide necessary assistance to those affected. Additionally, the Chief Minister ordered a survey to assess crop losses and submit a report to the government for further action.
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