Patna: Raging thunderstorms hit several districts of Bihar on Monday, killing at least 19 persons, and razing down houses, walls, billboards, uprooting trees and electricity poles. Hailstorm was reported at several places including Patna.
Eleven of the dead were hit by thunderbolts. Eight others died after coming under walls, roofs and trees that collapsed under high speed winds.
Disaster management officials said five persons each died in Gaya and Aurangabad, four in Munger, three in Katihar and two in Nawada. Sources said at least 10 others have been seriously injured. In Aurangabad, all deaths were due to lightning and the dead included four women; in Gaya the deaths happened because of the thunderstorm.
Four lightning deaths were reported in Munger while three members of a family died in Katihar when an uprooted tree fell on their house. The two deaths reported from Nawada included that of a 16-year old girl struck by lightning on her rooftop and a farmer struck while working in his field.
Bhagalpur, Jamui, Banka, Lakhisarai, Begusarai, Khagaria, Vaishali, Muzaffarpur and Patna districts also witnessed winds of 40-60kmph, though no loss of lives was reported.
Governor Satya Pal Malik and chief minister Nitish Kumar expressed grief over the deaths and directed officials to provide Rs 4 lakh in compensation to the next of kin. "We have directed officials to expedite relief work," disaster management minister Dinesh Chandra Yadav said.
"The temperature, easterly winds and moisture provided ideal conditions for rapid development of localised thunderstorms in several districts of Bihar," a senior India Meteorological Department official told The Telegraph.
Damage was reported to standing mango and litchi crops in north Bihar. In Patna, the thunderstorm began around 8.45pm and continued till 10.20pm. Patna received 17mm rainfall; the highest of 24.4mm was in Bhagalpur. Several areas of Patna were waterlogged, while power played truant till Tuesday afternoon at places.
Weather experts forecast more thunderstorms ahead. The thunderstorm duration exceeded an hour at places.
