Lightning Strikes claim 21 lives in eastern India

Lightning strikes in India

Atleast 21 people have died in India’s eastern state of Bihar in incidents of lightning amid rains over the past 24 hours.

A statement by the states’ disaster management authority through its official, Tuesday, disclosed that the victims were farmers or workers in agriculture fields who were busy sowing crops or engaged in other agriculture-related activities.

According to the official, the deaths were reported around 10 districts in the state.

He said while Purnia and Araria both reported four deaths, three died in the Supaul district while two deaths were reported each from Banka, Jamui and Nawada. Begusarai, Sheikhpura, Saran and Saharsa, all recorded one death each, he added.

Meanwhile, Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar has announced a monetary compensation of 400,000 Indian Rupees (5,023 U.S. dollars) for each of the bereaved families while advising the people to be alert during inclement weather.

“People must follow the directions issued by the state disaster management authority to save themselves from lightning incidents.“ One must stay indoors during inclement weather,” he said.

A RECOLLECTION OF LIGHTNING STRIKES IN INDIA

Recall that in July 2021, a lightning strike killed at least 16 people and injured many more in Jaipur in northern India.

Also on September 3rd 2022, The Guardian reported that at least 23 people were killed in lightning strikes during monsoon storms in eastern India.

According to Independent media, Lightning kills about 2,000 to 2,500 people every year in India and places like Bihar are more vulnerable to these strikes.

A publication by BBC which supports the aforementioned has also posited that Lightning strikes have killed more than 100,000 people in the country between 1967 and 2019.

It further stated that the recurring strikes have been more than a third of fatalities caused by natural hazards during this period. Survivors might have to live with symptoms such as weakness, dizziness and memory loss, it added.

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