Lagatar24 Desk
Patna, July 6: The 15 people who have died in separate lightning-related accidents in eight Bihar districts since Tuesday late evening have been mourned by the chief minister, Nitish Kumar, who has announced an ex-gratia payment of Rs 4 lakh to each victim’s next of kin.
With this, the state’s overall number of lightning-related fatalities in the previous 36 hours increased to 24, according to an official statement from the chief minister’s office.
In different lightning-related occurrences on Tuesday throughout seven districts, nine individuals died.
Since Tuesday late evening, the Rohtas district has recorded five fatalities, followed by two each in Katihar, Gaya and Jehanabad. Besides these, the statement from the CM’s office stated that each of the districts of Khagaria, Kaimur, Buxar and Bhagalpur reported one death.
The Chief Minister of Bihar further urged the general populace to be attentive and alert during severe weather and to heed the recommendations made from time to time by the state’s disaster management agency in order to protect themselves from lightning strikes and the effects of bad weather.
In various locations, including Madhubani, Sitamarhi and West Champaran district, the Met department has forecast heavy rain.
People have been advised by the Disaster Management Department not to go outside during rain due to thunderstorms and lightning.