This story is from June 26, 2020

Lightning death toll in Bihar surges to 96

Lightning death toll in Bihar surges to 96
Representative image
PATNA: The death toll due to lightning strikes in Bihar surged from 83 on Thursday to 96 on Friday. It has been the highest ever single day death toll due to lightning strikes in Bihar.
Officials at the state control room of disaster management department (DMD) at Patna claimed that fresh deaths reported on Friday actually occurred on Thursday. Gopalganj district has reported the highest number of 13 deaths.
Other districts where people died due to lightening, include Purnia (9), Madhubani (8), Nawada (8), Aurangabad (8), Bhagalpur (8), Siwan (6), East Champaran (5), Darbhanga (5) Banka (5), Jamui (4), West Champaran (2), Kishanganj (2), Jehanabad (2), Supaul (2) and one each in Saharsa, Madhepura, Buxar, Saran, Sheohar and Samastipur.

“Most people, who have died, were working in the open in the agriculture fields, when they were struck by lightning. People have been advised not to venture in the open in the districts where alerts for thunderstorm and lightning are being issued by the weather office,” a senior official at DMD said, wishing anonymity.
Patna meteorological centre issued nowcast weather warning for thunderstorm accompanied with lightning in several districts in Bihar on Friday, including Patna, Jehanabad, Nalanda, Samastipur, Nawada, Rohtas, Aurangabad, Gaya, Saran, Vaishali, Samastipur, Saharsa, Supaul, Madhepura, Araria, Purnia, Khagaria, Munger, Begusarai and Bhjojpur among others.
Officials at DMD control room, however, claimed that no fresh report of loss of life or property were reported from anywhere in the state on Friday.

Nevertheless, Patna meteorological centre issued warning for thunderstorm with lightning in all 38 districts in the state till June 30. Red color warning has been issued for thunderstorm and lightning very likely on Saturday and Sunday in districts in north- west Bihar, including West Champaran, East Champaran, Gopalganj, Siwan and Saran. Red color warning for such turbulent weather has also been issued for Araria and Kishanganj till Sunday.
A red color warning issued by India Meteorological Department (IMD) stipulates the authorities to remain alert for extreme weather conditions.
Yellow color warning, which stipulates authorities to be watchful for extreme weather conditions, will also remain in effect for all districts in Bihar till June 30.
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