ZCZC
BFF-28
INDIA-LIGHTNING-DEATH
Lightning claims 9 lives in eastern India
NEW DELHI, June 25, 2018 (BSS/XINHUA) – At least nine people have been
killed by lightning strikes in the eastern Indian state of Bihar, officials
said Monday.
The casualties were reported from Katihar, Munger, Nalanda, Gaya and Banka
districts.
“All the deaths took place Sunday night. While five people lost their
lives in Katihar and Munger districts, four deaths were reported from
Nalanda, Gaya and Banka districts,” a disaster management official said.
State Chief Minister Nitish Kumar has expressed grief over the deaths and
announced a compensation of 400,000 rupees (6,000 U.S. dollars) to the
families of each of the deceased.
The state is witnessing pre-monsoon showers and the weather department has
predicted more rains. “More rains are likely to hit the state in the next 24
hours,” a weather department official said.
Lightning is common in the monsoon months of June and July in India.
BSS/XINHUA/GMR/1223 hrs