Severe weather conditions have caused devastation in Bihar, resulting in the deaths of more than 20 individuals and leaving many others injured within the last 24 hours. The affected regions, including East Champaran, Gaya, and Aurangabad, have witnessed storms, heavy rainfall, and lightning strikes. The Chief Minister’s Secretariat has announced compensation of Rs 4 lakh for the families of the deceased.
The sudden change in weather followed a day of extreme heat and humidity, with dark clouds gathering over multiple districts by late Monday afternoon. Subsequently, powerful storms accompanied by rain and lightning swept through large parts of the state, leading to casualties reported from various districts. Barh in Patna district saw two fatalities due to falling trees and collapsing walls, while East Champaran recorded five deaths.
In Gaya, three deaths were reported across the district, and Aurangabad witnessed three fatalities due to lightning strikes. Additional casualties were noted in Vaishali (1), Sitamarhi (2), and Bhojpur (1). In Sitamarhi, two women lost their lives after an electric pole collapsed during the storm, while one individual, Ghulam Hussain, sustained severe injuries and is currently receiving medical treatment.
The incident has sparked public outrage, with residents blaming the electricity department for negligence in maintaining infrastructure. In Rohtas, a 25-year-old, Balwant Paswan, died after being struck by lightning at a worksite, with four others sustaining injuries. A major disaster was narrowly avoided at Azamnagar station under the Katihar Railway Division when a heavy tree branch fell on a high-tension overhead wire, causing a fire.
