Lightning toll mounts to 96 in Bihar

PATNA: The death toll due to lightning strikes in Bihar surged to 96 on Friday. Officials at the state control room of disaster management department (DMD) at Patna said the fresh cases reported on Friday actually occurred on Thursday itself, making it the highest single day toll in lightning strikes in Bihar. Gopalganj district had the maximum 13 deaths, followed by 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 died were working in the agriculture fields.People have been advised not to venture out in the open in the districts where thunderstorm and lightning alerts are being issued by the weather office,” a DMD official said.
Patna meteorological centre issued warning for thunderstorm and lightning in all 38 districts in the state till June 30. Red colour warning has been issued for thunderstorm and lightning on Saturday and Sunday in West Champaran, East Champaran, Gopalganj, Siwan, Saran and some other districts of north-west Bihar. Red colour warning to remain alert for extreme weather conditions has also been issued for Araria and Kishanganj till Sunday.
Yellow colour warning to be watchful for extreme weather conditions will also remain in effect for all districts in Bihar till June 30.