Seven killed in separate lightning strikes in Bihar in 24 hours

Patna:At least seven people lost their lives in separate lightning strike incidents triggered by heavy rains in Bihar’s Madhubani and Begusarai districts over the past 24 hours, officials said.

In Madhubani, three people were killed in different parts of the district on Wednesday morning. In the Alpura village of Rudrapur, under Andharathari block, 62-year-old Zakir and his 18-year-old daughter Ayesha died while trying to cover a wheat stock in their field with a tarpaulin during a sudden downpour.

In another incident, Rekha Devi, wife of Revan Mahato from Pipraulia village under the Jhanjharpur police station area of Madhubani, was struck by lightning and died while she was near the fields.

In Begusarai, four fatalities were reported in separate incidents. Thirteen-year-old Anshu Kumari, daughter of Ramkumar Sada of Manopur village under Bhagwanpur police station, died after being struck by lightning.

In Bhagatpur village, under Ballia police station, 60-year-old Biral Paswan died, and his wife was seriously injured while they were collecting straw in the fields.

Indira Devi, a middle-aged woman from Sanha Navtoliya village under Sahebpur Kamal police station limits, was killed near Mohanpur Dhaba in the Mashudanpur Diara Path area.

Pankaj Mahato (45), son of the late Kamo Mahato from Souza village, died while returning from his field in Kola Bahiyar village under Mufassil police station limits.

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued an advisory urging residents to take precautions during thunderstorms and heavy rainfall. People are advised to avoid going into open fields, clay houses, near trees, and electric poles and to remain indoors — preferably in concrete buildings — during lightning strikes.

Farmers have been specifically advised not to enter fields or go near water bodies during adverse weather. Thunderstorms and lightning are expected to continue in Madhubani, Begusarai, and the adjoining districts over the next 24 hours.

IANS