Seven die in lightning strikes across state, CM announces aid for kin

Patna: At least seven people died in separate incidents of lightning strikes across four districts of Bihar on Friday, the chief minister’s office (CMO) said. The fatalities were reported from Aurangabad, Gaya, Saran and Khagaria, as thunderstorms and rain swept parts of the state.

CM Samrat Choudhary directed officials of the disaster management department to ensure ex gratia assistance of Rs4 lakh each is provided to the next of kin of those who died. In a message posted on X, he expressed grief over the deaths and conveyed condolences to the affected families.

“The untimely deaths of two persons in Aurangabad, three in Gaya, one each in Saran and Khagaria district due to lightning strikes in the state are extremely tragic. My deepest condolences go out to the bereaved families. May God grant peace to the departed souls and give strength to their families during this difficult time,” Choudhary wrote in a Hindi post on X.

He also appealed to residents to remain alert during inclement weather and to follow the department’s safety guidelines to reduce the risk of lightning-related incidents.

In Aurangabad, police said a govt school teacher died after being struck by lightning inside a school campus in Rafiganj. The deceased was identified as Sunil Kumar Singh, 43, posted at Bhekhnapura Primary School. In another incident in the district, farmer Kedar Yadav, 55, of Keshradi village under Daudnagar police station area, was struck by lightning while out for a morning walk.

In Gaya, Dinesh Yadav of Barwadih village died after stepping out for work around 8am when lightning struck. In a separate incident, 17-year-old Manisha Kumari died in Gularbed village, while her mother Gauri Devi was seriously injured after lightning hit a mahua tree under which they had taken shelter from the rain.

In Khagaria, Girish Yadav died in Tharuwatola village after stepping out for work. In Saran, farmer Chandrama Chaudhary died in Goriya Chhapra village under Rivilganj police station area, police said.