AMN / PATNA
At least 21 people were killed and over two dozen injured due to thunderstorm and lightning in different parts of Bihar today. Maximum eight deaths have been reported from Saharsa district.
Remaining 13 casualties are from Darbhanga, East Champaran, Madhepura, Khagaria and Samastipur districts. Most of the casualties are those who were engaged in farming in their field. Injured have been admitted to local hospital.
Expressing grief over the incident, Chief Minister Nitish Kumar has announced an ex-gratia of four lakh rupees to next kin of the deceased. Crops, including Mango, Litchi, and Maize have been damaged due to the storm. Met department has forecast more thunderstorm and lightning in the next 24 hours in several parts of the state.