At least 100 killed due to lightening in Bihar, UP & J’khand; PM expresses grief
NEW DELHI: Lightening has claimed 100 lives in Bihar, Uttar Pradesh and Jharkhand. In Bihar, the death toll in various parts of the state has risen to 56 while in Uttar Pradesh it has reached 40. Four deaths have also been reported from Jharkhand.
Lightening had struck several places including Patna, Rohtash, Kaimur, Aurangabad and Buxar districts. The State Disaster Management Department has instructed District Magistrates of the affected areas to assess the extent of damage.
Senior official of the Department told that they have been told to send detailed report about natural calamity. He said, ex-gratia of four lakh rupees will be paid to the next of the kin of deceased who killed in the lightning. Injured have been admitted in local hospital where free treatment is being given.
The MeT department has predicted, there will be lightning in next 48 hours in several parts of the state. It said, there will be heavy rain in northern parts of Bihar as monsoon is active. There will be rain in Southern parts of the state after 24 hours.
In Uttar Pradesh, the number of people killed in lightning and rain related incidents across the state has reached 40. 24 people were reportedly killed in Varanasi and Azamgarh divisions while 11 died in Basti and Gorakhpur divisions which also included several children in rain related incidents.
Reports of deaths have also received from various other districts. Relief operations being undertaken in affected areas. Compensation, as per laid down norms and rules in cases of death due to natural calamities, will be paid to the families of those killed. Azamgarh, Gonda, Amethi, Sitapur and Chitrakoot districts are among those areas experiencing moderate to heavy rain intermittently since yesterday.
In Jharkhand, 4 tribals were killed in lightning at Haldia tand in Chatra district. All of them were of one family. Four others were injured in the incident who were admitted to Chatra Sadar hospital.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has expressed deep anguish over the loss of lives due to lightning in parts of UP, Bihar and other parts. In a tweet, Mr Modi said, his thoughts and prayers are with those who lost their near and dear ones due to the lightning. Mr Modi also wished for the speedy recovery of the injured.
