83 die in lightning in Bihar in a day (Updated story)

(Updated story)

Patna, 25 June (HS): Thursday was a big tragic day for Bihar when deaths because of lightning spiraled in the state since morning and by the late evening the toll mounted to 83. This is the worst ever toll due to lightning in Bihar in recent past. Most of the deaths were reported from north Bihar districts and southern districts also reported lightning deaths.

Chief Minister Nitish Kumar expressed deep shock over such a large number of deaths in one day. He announced an ex gratia of Rs 34 lakh to the kin of each victim. Several people have sustained burn injuries and were being treated at different hospitals.

Gopalganj district suffered the most where 13 people died and about half a dozen sustained burn injuries. Eight deaths were reported each from Madhubani and Nawada districts and six each from Siwan and Bhagalpur districts. Most of the villagers had been working in their fields when lightning struck them.

In Madhubani eight people, including a couple and three members of one family died. Most of the cases were reported from Phulparas block. At Belahi village a 55-years old man and his wife sustained severe burn injuries and died while undergoing treatment. At Sugipatti village three members of one family died. An 18 years old youth died at Birauli village.

Five people were killed in East Champaran, Darbahnga and Banka, three each from Khagaria and Aurangabad, two each from West Champaran, Kishanganj, Jehanabad, Jamui, Purnia, Supaul, Buxar and Kaimur districts and one each from Madhepura, Sitamarhi, Saran, Sheohar and Samastipur,