At least 33 people have died as a result of severe monsoon rains in eastern India, and scores more have been hurt by lightning strikes, officials said Friday.
According to the state disaster management department, the fatal incidents that took place in Bihar state between Wednesday and Thursday primarily affected farmers and daily wage workers who were working outside during the storms.
According to Vijay Kumar Mandal, the state minister of disaster management, officials have been directed to encourage citizens to take safety precautions during lightning alerts and to increase public awareness in districts that are at risk.
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The families of those who died will receive 4 million rupees, or around $4,600, in compensation, according to the Bihar government.
In Bihar, lightning is still a serious seasonal hazard. According to government data, lightning strikes claimed 243 lives in 2024, up from 275 the year before.
Strong monsoon rains frequently cause floods, relocation, and weather-related fatalities during the peak season in Eastern India, which includes Bihar. More lightning and more intense rain are expected in the coming days, according to meteorologists.
