Patna: At least nine people were killed and several others injured in separate incidents of lightning strikes in six districts of Bihar on Saturday.Three deaths were reported in Jehanabad, two in West Champaran and one each in Bhojpur, Khagaria, Kishanganj and Gopalganj districts.A communique from the chief minister’s office (CMO) said, “Five people died due to lightning strikes in four districts of the state.” The statement added, “CM Nitish Kumar has expressed deep condolences over the death of two people in West Champaran and one each in Bhojpur, Jehanabad and Kishanganj due to lightning strikes. The CM has directed immediate ex gratia payment of Rs 4 lakh each to the family members of the deceased.”However, police reports from different districts put the death toll higher. In Jehanabad district, at least three people, including a woman, were killed and a dozen others injured in separate lightning incidents. The deceased were identified as Suraj Kumar (14), Sitaram Bind (40), and Devanti Devi.In West Champaran, a 50-year-old woman and her 11-year-old granddaughter lost their lives after being struck by lightning at Parsa village under Majhauliya police station area. The deceased were identified as Sudama Devi and her granddaughter Pinki Kumari, both residents of ward 1 in Parsa village.In Bhojpur district, a 61-year-old farmer, Kanhaiya Shah, died at Bachri village under Sandesh police station area after being struck by lightning during incessant rain. His son said, “As usual, my father had gone to sleep on the “machan” erected in our agricultural field on Friday evening. When he went to attend to nature’s call on Saturday morning, sheltering himself with an umbrella in the torrential downpour, he was suddenly struck by lightning and died on the spot.”In Khagaria district, a teenage girl died after being struck by lightning in Soharwa village under Sarsawa panchayat in Chautham police station area. The incident occurred during rain on Saturday afternoon. Locals said the victim, 15-year-old Manchan Kumari, was struck while outside her home, dying instantly. Police later took custody of the body for post-mortem.In Kishanganj district, a young man, Tanveer Alam, died after being struck by lightning at Poralbari village under Daula panchayat in Kishanganj Sadar police station area. The incident occurred when he was heading towards his agricultural field.In Gopalganj district, a labourer, Saleem Ansari, died due to lightning strike in the premises of Sasamusa Ibrahim High School under Kuchaikot police station area. The incident took place when he was about to start a generator. Police sent the body to Sadar Hospital for post-mortem examination.District administrations across the affected areas have issued advisories urging residents to remain indoors during storms and to avoid open fields or metal objects during lightning activity.
