In a tragic incident, multiple districts in Bihar have been struck by severe thunderstorms and lightning, resulting in the deaths of several individuals. Chief Minister Nitish Kumar has expressed deep sorrow over the loss of lives and announced an ex-gratia payment of ₹4 lakh to the families of each deceased.
The affected districts include Bhagalpur, Vaishali, Banka, Khagaria, Munger, Katihar, Madhepura, and Saharsa. The Chief Minister has urged residents to remain vigilant during adverse weather conditions and to adhere to advisories issued by the Disaster Management Department. He emphasized the importance of staying indoors during thunderstorms to ensure safety.
According to the Bihar Economic Survey of 2023-24, the state witnessed 400 deaths related to lightning and thunderstorms in 2022, with the highest number of fatalities reported from Gaya, Bhojpur, and Nawada districts.
The state government has directed officials to conduct rapid assessments of damages to houses and crops due to the hailstorms and to provide necessary financial assistance to affected families promptly. Residents are advised to follow safety guidelines and remain indoors during severe weather conditions.
