Patna: At least 10 people were killed and 12 others injured in lightning strikes as sudden rains swept through several districts of Bihar on Monday. The deaths were reported from Buxar, Bagaha, Kaimur, Bettiah, Bhagalpur, and Lakhisarai, with severe injuries in other parts of the state.
According to reports, four people lost their lives in Buxar district alone, where a group sitting along the banks of the Ganga was caught off guard by the abrupt change in weather. The deceased were identified as Mithlesh Ram (22), Shri Bhagwan alias Jhola Singh (60), and Virendra Gond (45), all residents of Chausa Bazaar. Two more individuals were injured in Rajpur block, one of whom, Ankush Ram (12), later succumbed to his injuries.
In Bagaha, lightning claimed the lives of two students, Shamim Ansari (22) and Azim Mian (11), who were playing in a mango orchard in Meghwal Mathiya village under Ramnagar police station. Three other children sustained serious burns in the same incident.
Bhagalpur reported the death of Nitish Kumar (13), who was struck in Mohanpur Diara under Nathnagar police station. Meanwhile, in Lakhisarai, 45-year-old Videshi Yadav died while grazing buffaloes in a field in Sheikhpurwa village. He was rushed to hospital but declared dead on arrival.
A woman died and five labourers were injured in Sugarchhap village under Lauriya police station in Bettiah when lightning struck as they were returning home after transplanting paddy. The deceased woman was identified as a resident of Ward No. 4 in the village.
Sudden showers were recorded across multiple districts including Patna, Nalanda, Hajipur, Bhagalpur, Siwan, Saharsa, Madhepura, Aurangabad, and West Champaran. The weather department had earlier issued an alert warning of thunderstorms and lightning activity in several areas.
Local authorities have urged residents to remain indoors during inclement weather and follow safety advisories. The state disaster management department is expected to announce compensation for the families of the deceased.
