At least four persons were killed and several others injured early today when thunderstorm lashed parts of the state, uprooting trees...

At least four persons were killed and several others injured early today when thunderstorm lashed parts of the state, uprooting trees, electric poles, and billboards. According to the weather department, winds blowing at the speed of 60km per hour, accompanied by lightning and showers, swept across the state between 1 am and 2 am. The State Disaster Management Department could not ascertain the number of people who sustained injuries in the storm but pegged the toll at four. Two casualties were reported from Saran district and one each from Patna and Darbhanga, the Principal Secretary of State Disaster Management Department, Pratyay Amrit, told PTI.

Amrit, who also holds the charge for power department, said electricity supply was disrupted in various parts of the state, especially in north Bihar, as the storm uprooted hundreds of trees, resulting in snapping of cables and collapse of poles. "We have, however, restored power supply in all affected areas later in the day," he said. Bihar Governor Satya Pal Mallik and Chief Minister Nitish Kumar issued separate statements expressing their grief over the loss of life and property and wished early recovery for the injured. The CM also issued instructions for "expeditious payment of ex-gratia to the next of the kin of the deceased", an official release said.