Bihar lightning: 83 dead; CM announces ₹4 lakh relief to kin of deceased

As many as 83 people lost their lives due to lightning and thunderstorms in Bihar today (June 25). According to the Bihar State Disaster Management, 13 people died in the Gopalganj district.

Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar announced a compensation of ₹4 lakh each to the families of the deceased. Prime Minister Narendra Modi also expressed condolences to the families and said that state governments are engaged in relief work.

Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar announces Rs 4 lakhs each for 83 people who lost their lives due to thunderstorms in the state. https://t.co/EtiX2gLgt7 pic.twitter.com/03hVtPtZYn

— ANI (@ANI) June 25, 2020

Heavy rain with thunderstorms and lightning lashed various districts of Bihar even before the onset of the monsoon in the state. Authorities have appealed to people to stay indoors during the rainfall. They have also asked them not to stand under trees, if outside.

Districts such as East Chanparan, Gopalganj, Siwan, Darbhanga, Madhubani, and few others have been affected due to the thunderstorms and lightning.

I’ve received tragic news about death of many people due to heavy rain & lightning strikes in some districts of Bihar & Uttar Pradesh. The state govts are engaged in relief work. I express condolences to the families who lost their loved ones in this disaster: PM Narendra Modi pic.twitter.com/CQ53fbPLbk

— ANI (@ANI) June 25, 2020

Meanwhile, on June 22, the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) had warned Bihar of a ‘severe flood’ situation as the surplus rainfall led to a huge rise in water levels of rivers across the state.

RELATED NEWS: IMD predicts heavy rainfall in Bihar, govt reviews preparedness

Earlier, the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) had issued a red alert for some areas of the state, foreseeing rough weather conditions. Heavy rain, thunderstorm, lightning, and squall have been predicted for June 25 and June 26.