PATNA: At least 17 people were killed in separate incidents of lightning strikes in 11 districts of Bihar since late Friday evening, a statement issued on Saturday from the chief minister Nitish Kumar’s office said.
As another 15 people were killed in separate incidents of lightning strikes on Wednesday evening, Thursday and Friday, the total number of deaths due to the lightning strikes across the state reached 32 in the last 72 hours.
Rohtas district reported five deaths since Friday evening, followed by two each in Aurangabad and Buxar, and one each death in Arwal, Kishanganj, Kaimur, Vaishali, Siwan, Patna, Araria and Saran districts, the statement said.
On Friday, Arwal district had reported three deaths, followed by two in Rohtas and one each death in Muzaffarpur, Banka, East Champaran and Nalanda districts on Friday. Thus, Rohtas district reported a total of seven deaths in the last 48 hours.
CM Nitish Kumar expressed grief over all such deaths and announced ex-gratia of Rs 4 lakh each to the next kin of deceased persons. “My sentiments are with the family of deceased persons in this hour of crisis,” Nitish said in message here on Saturday.
Nitish further appealed to common people to remain alert and vigilant during the inclement weather and follow the suggestions issued from time to time by the state’s disaster management department to save themselves from the lightning strikes and impact of inclement weather.
