Thunderstorms and lightning have wrought havoc in Bihar and Uttar Pradesh over the past two days, claiming 110 lives

Patna: Thunderstorms and lightning have wrought havoc in Bihar and Uttar Pradesh over the past two days, claiming 110 lives, leaving at least 32 injured and causing widespread damage to property.

The lightning strikes were more devastating in Bihar, where 83 people have lost their lives. More than 20 people have been injured in these incidents and hospitalised, they said.

LightningMeanwhile, in the neighbouring Uttar Pradesh, at least 24 people died when they were struck by lightning on Thursday, while 12 were injured, officials said in Lucknow.

The lightning has also caused widespread damage to houses and belongings of the residents.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi condoled the loss of lives. “Received tragic news about death of several people in some districts of Uttar Pradesh and Bihar due to heavy rains and lightening. The state governments are engaged in relief work with promptness,” he tweeted in Hindi.

Narendra Modi tweet

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi also expressed shock at the death of 83 people in Bihar and asked party workers to help the families of the victims.

“I am shocked to hear the news of 83 people dying due to lightning in Bihar. May God grant strength to their loved ones to bear this sorrow,” he said in a tweet in Hindi.

“I appeal to the Congress workers to extend all possible help to the families of the victims,” he also said.

Rahul Gandhi tweetExpressing grief over the deaths, the two chief ministers announced a payment of Rs 4 lakh as ex gratia to the next of the kin of each deceased in their respective states.

Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar appealed to the people of the state to remain alert and stay indoors as far as possible during bad weather conditions. He also asked them to follow advisories issued by the Disaster Management Department in this regard.

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath also directed officials to provide best healthcare facilities to those injured.

Yogi Adityanath and Nitish KumarMeanwhile, the weather department in Patna has forecast that inclement weather could persist for some more days.                 

An IMD release said thunderstorms are likely to lash all the 38 districts of the state over the next few days along with “heavy to very heavy rainfall” in the northern, flood-prone districts, bordering Nepal.

The Met department in Lucknow has forecast heavy rain at isolated places over east UP on June 26.