Alarming Surge in Lightning Strikes Claims 76 Lives in Bihar in 17 Days

Patna: Bihar is witnessing a deadly surge in lightning strikes, with at least 76 fatalities reported in the last 17 days, including 21 in the past 24 hours alone.

The devastating strikes have affected various districts across north and south Bihar, including Madhubani, Aurangabad, Patna, Rohtas, Bhojpur, Jehanabad, Kaimur, Gopalganj, Lakhisarai, Madhepura, and Supaul. The widespread nature of these incidents has left communities reeling in shock and grief.

In Aurangabad, four individuals, including three women, perished in separate incidents on Thursday. Three more people were injured while working in fields or tending to cattle, highlighting the indiscriminate nature of these tragic events.

A particularly harrowing incident occurred in Tarari block of Bhojpur district, where 18 girl students were struck by lightning. All were rushed to a community health center for emergency treatment, with eight in critical condition transferred to Ara Sadar Hospital. The girls, all in the 10th grade, were caught in the downpour while leaving Badka Gaon +2 High School and sought shelter under trees and roofs when the lightning struck.

The frequency and lethality of lightning incidents in Bihar have escalated in recent years. Over 1,000 lives have been lost to lightning strikes in the past four years, with 459 deaths in 2020 and 280 in 2021. This alarming trend shows no signs of abating, with July consistently recording the highest number of fatalities.

Experts attribute the increase in lightning strikes to a combination of Bihar’s geographical positioning and global warming factors. The state’s proximity to the Nepal Terai region and rising pollution levels are significant contributors to the heightened lightning activity.