Lightning Kills 10 People in Bihar; CM Nitish Kumar Announces Rs 4 Lakh Ex-Gratia for Kin of Deceased
The chief minister appealed to the people of the state to remain vigilant and stay indoors as far as possible during the bad weather. He also asked people to follow advisories issued by the Disaster Management Department in this regard.
Patna, July 19: At least 10 people were killed in lightning strikes during a thunderstorm in seven districts of Bihar on Sunday, officials said. Three persons were killed in Purnea, two in Begusarai and one each person in Patna, Saharsa, East Champaran, Madhepura and Darbhanga districts, a Disaster Management Department official said. Also Read | Punjab Reports 310 New COVID-19 Cases, 8 Deaths Today: Live News Breaking and Coronavirus Updates on July 19, 2020.
More than 160 people have died due to lightning strikes in the state in the past three weeks. The highest number of 83 people were killed in lightning strikes in 23 districts on June 25. Also Read | Tamil Nadu Reports Highest Single-Day Spike of 4,970 Coronavirus Cases, State COVID-19 Tally Crosses 1.7 Lakh-Mark, Death Toll Jumps to 2,481.
Chief Minister Nitish Kumar expressed grief over the death of 10 persons due to lightning strikes, an official release said, adding "he was with the families of victims of lightning in the hour of disaster". Kumar directed payment of Rs 4 lakh as ex-gratia to next of the kin of each deceased.
The chief minister appealed to the people of the state to remain vigilant and stay indoors as far as possible during the bad weather. He also asked people to follow advisories issued by the Disaster Management Department in this regard.
(The above story is verified and authored by Press Trust of India (PTI) staff. PTI, India’s premier news agency, employs more than 400 journalists and 500 stringers to cover almost every district and small town in India.. The views appearing in the above post do not reflect the opinions of LatestLY)