<p>Patna: At least 19 people were killed in lightning strikes in Bihar in the last 24 hours, the chief minister's office said on Thursday.</p>.<p>The highest number of five fatalities was reported in Nalanda, followed by Vaishali (four), Banka and Patna (two each).</p>.NGT notice to CPCB, Bihar authorities over rise in lightning deaths due to felling of palm trees.<p>Besides, Sheikhpura, Nawada, Jehanabad, Aurangabad, Jamui and Samastipur districts accounted for one death each.</p>.<p>Condoling the deaths, Chief Minister Nitish Kumar announced an ex gratia of Rs 4 lakh for the next of kin of each deceased and urged the people to take ample precautions during bad weather. </p>
<p>Patna: At least 19 people were killed in lightning strikes in Bihar in the last 24 hours, the chief minister's office said on Thursday.</p>.<p>The highest number of five fatalities was reported in Nalanda, followed by Vaishali (four), Banka and Patna (two each).</p>.NGT notice to CPCB, Bihar authorities over rise in lightning deaths due to felling of palm trees.<p>Besides, Sheikhpura, Nawada, Jehanabad, Aurangabad, Jamui and Samastipur districts accounted for one death each.</p>.<p>Condoling the deaths, Chief Minister Nitish Kumar announced an ex gratia of Rs 4 lakh for the next of kin of each deceased and urged the people to take ample precautions during bad weather. </p>