Lightning Strike Kills 56 as Rain Brings Havoc in Bihar

Patna: At least 56 people were killed in lightning strikes at separate places of Bihar's Aurangabad district over the last 24 hours.

Lightning storms hit many parts of the state along with heavy rains. Police sources said eight people were critically injured and the death toll may increase.

In Darmikala village, a man and his son became victims of the lightning strike while they were returning home from their field. Two more people were killed in Aarai and Pansa villages.

Principal Secretary of Disaster Management in Bihar Vyas Ji, said, "Most of them victims used to live in mud houses. Our officers are there on the spot and assist the victims."

Government officials said the families of the victims would get Rs four lakh each as compensation for death in natural calamity.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Narendra Modi while expressing his condolences, tweeted, "Deeply anguished by loss of lives due to lightning in parts of UP, Bihar, Jharkhand & other parts of the nation over the last few days."

"My thoughts & prayers are with those who lost their near & dear ones due to the lightning. May the injured recover quickly," his tweet reads.