Lightning strikes kill 5 in Bihar’s Khagaria; father-son among victims

Patna: A series of tragic lightning strike incidents amid sudden adverse weather conditions claimed five lives in Bihar’s Khagaria district on Thursday, leaving several others injured and triggering widespread grief across affected villages.

One of the most devastating incidents occurred in Kanhauli village under Baltara Panchayat in the Gogri block, where three people, including a father and his eight-year-old son, died after lightning struck while villagers were harvesting maize in the fields.

The deceased were identified as Ashutosh Yadav, Vidyanand Yadav, and Ashutosh Yadav’s eight-year-old son.

According to local residents, around a dozen villagers were working in maize fields in the morning when the weather suddenly deteriorated.

Dark clouds gathered quickly, followed by heavy rain and thunder.

As workers attempted to seek shelter, lightning struck the field.

Villagers rushed to help the victims, but the three had already died due to severe burn injuries caused by the strike.

Two other villagers were also injured in the incident and were immediately taken to a nearby hospital for treatment.

Doctors stated that both are currently out of danger.

The deaths of the father and son have plunged the village into mourning, with grieving family members and shocked villagers struggling to come to terms with the tragedy.

In another series of incidents in the Beldaur police station area of Khagaria district, lightning strikes at multiple locations killed two more youths and injured five others.

The deceased were identified as Kush Mahto and Ajnash Mahto.

Officials said 21-year-old Kush Mahto was collecting crop residue in the fields near Nardapur village around 8:30 a.m. when lightning struck during sudden rainfall and thunder. He died on the spot.

Nearby, tractor driver Ajnash Mahto suffered severe burn injuries in the same weather event.

Villagers rushed both men to the Community Health Centre in Beldaur, where doctors declared Kush Mahto dead.

Despite treatment efforts, Ajnash Mahto later succumbed to his injuries.

Another lightning strike was reported from Itmadi village in the same region, where five others sustained severe burns.

Authorities said the identities of the victims were still being verified at the time of reporting.

Upon receiving information, Amit Kumar, the Circle Officer of Beldaur, visited the affected areas and supervised relief operations.

Ambulances were arranged to transport the injured to the Community Health Centre.

The Circle Officer confirmed that at least two deaths and five injuries had been officially reported in the Beldaur area due to lightning strikes.

He stated that the administration has initiated procedures for relief assistance and compensation under government disaster relief provisions.

The incidents have created fear among farmers and labourers working in open fields as weather conditions continue to fluctuate across the region.

Local residents have urged the administration to launch widespread public awareness campaigns regarding lightning safety and to provide immediate compensation to the affected families.

IANS