Patna: State disaster management department of Bihar today said thunderstorms and lightning have wrought havoc in Bihar over the past two days, claiming 92 lives, leaving many injured and causing widespread damage to property.
In a statement, the department said the deaths in lighting strikes happened in 23 districts of the state, with Gopalganj accounting for the maximum number of casualties at 13.
Deaths have also been reported from: Nawada and Madhubani (eight each); Siwan and Bhagalpur (six each); East Champaran, Darbhanga and Banka (five each); Khagaria and Aurangabad (three each); West Champaran, Kishanganj, Jehanabad, Jamui, Purnea, Supaul, Buxar and Kaimur (two each); and Samastipur, Sheohar, Saran, Sitmarhi, Madhepura (one each), it added.
Chief Minister Nitish Kumar directed a payment of Rs 4 lakh as ex gratia to next of the kin of each deceased.
RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav conveyed condolences to the families of the deceased and asked the state government to provide immediate financial relief to the aggrieved families.
Meanwhile, the weather department has predicted that the inclement weather could persist for some more days.