At least nine people have died in lightning strikes across three districts of Bihar in the past 24 hours, according to an official statement issued by the Chief Minister's Office on Tuesday. Five deaths were reported in Banka district, three in Lakhisarai and one in Patna, as thunderstorms and lightning affected parts of the state. The casualties have prompted the state government to announce financial assistance for the families of those who lost their lives in the incidents. The government said an ex gratia payment of ₹4 lakh would be provided to the next of kin of each deceased person.

Banka recorded the highest number of deaths, with five people reported to have been killed in separate lightning incidents. Among those who died were three women from the same family in Porai village under Bausi police station. According to the official statement, Kushmi Devi, 45, Rinku Devi, 35, and Renu Devi, 38, were outside their home when lightning struck. All three women died in the incident. Their deaths accounted for three of the five fatalities reported from Banka district during the 24-hour period.

Lightning strikes are a recurring weather-related hazard in Bihar, particularly during periods of thunderstorms and monsoon activity. People working or remaining outdoors during storms can face significant risks, especially in rural areas where agricultural and other outdoor activities are common. The latest incidents have once again highlighted the dangers associated with lightning during severe weather. The deaths across Banka, Lakhisarai and Patna indicate that the impact was not confined to a single locality, with casualties reported in multiple districts.

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The three deaths in Lakhisarai and one in Patna brought the total number of fatalities reported by the state government to nine. The official statement did not provide further details about the circumstances surrounding each of the incidents in those two districts. Authorities generally advise residents to seek shelter indoors when thunderstorms approach and avoid exposed locations during lightning activity. The concentration of casualties within a single 24-hour period has raised concerns over the need for people to exercise additional caution during periods of unstable weather.

The Bihar government has announced an ex gratia payment of ₹4 lakh for the family of each person who died in the lightning strikes. The financial assistance is intended to provide immediate support to the affected families following the deaths. The announcement covers the nine fatalities reported in the three districts. The state administration's response comes as families deal with the loss of relatives, including the three women from the same family in Banka who were killed while outside their home.

The deaths serve as another reminder of the threat posed by lightning during Bihar's stormy weather periods. With nine fatalities reported within 24 hours, authorities and residents face the continuing challenge of reducing casualties during thunderstorms. The official statement confirmed that the incidents occurred across Banka, Lakhisarai and Patna, with Banka accounting for more than half of the deaths. The state government's compensation announcement provides financial relief to the bereaved families, while the incidents underscore the importance of taking precautions and seeking safe shelter whenever lightning and thunderstorms develop.

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