Lightning kills 19 in 24 hours in Bihar

PATNA: Lightning strikes claimed 19 lives across 10 districts in Bihar in 24 hours. A maximum of five deaths were reported from Nalanda, followed by four in Vaishali, two each in Banka and Patna, and one each in Sheikhpura, Aurangabad, Samastipur, Nawada, Jamui and Jehanabad.

Chief minister Nitish Kumar, while condoling the deaths, announced an ex gratia of Rs 4 lakh to the next of kin of each victim.

“I stand with the affected families in this hour of crisis,” he said.

The CM also urged people to be cautious and preferably stay indoors, during inclement weather and strictly adhere to the advisories issued by the disaster management department .

The department also asked people to be alert while going for work. The department issued an alert for heavy rain, thunder and lightning for several districts, that include Gopalganj, Siwan, Saran, Bhojpur, East Champaran, Sitamarhi, Sheohar, Vaishali, Lakhisarai, Jamui and Muzaffarpur.