<p>Patna: At least 25 people were killed in lightning strikes and hailstorms in several districts of Bihar on Thursday, officials said.</p><p>According to a statement issued by the Chief Minister's Office (CMO), Nalanda reported 18 deaths, followed by two in Siwan, one each in Katihar, Darbhanga, Begusarai, Bhagalpur and Jehanabad.</p><p>Chief Minister Nitish Kumar condoled the deaths and announced an ex gratia of Rs 4 lakh each for the next of kin of the deceased, it said.</p>.13 killed in lightning strikes in Bihar, CM Nitish annouce ex gratia .<p>On Wednesday, 13 people had died in lightning strikes in four districts of Bihar.</p><p>The India Meteorological Department has issued an ‘orange alert’ (be prepared) for a number of districts, including Darbhanga, East Champaran, Gopalganj, West Champaran, Kishanganj, Araria, Supaul, Gaya, Sitamarhi, Sheohar, Nalanda, Nawada and Patna.</p><p>It has also forecast heavy rainfall on Friday and Saturday in these districts.</p><p>"Thunderstorms with lightning and gusty winds (40-50 kmph) likely to occur at few places over Madhubani, Darbhanga, East Champaran, Gopalganj, West Champaran, Kishanganj, Araria, Supaul, Gaya, Sitamarhi, Sheohar, Nalanda, Nawada, Patna," the IMD said in a bulletin.</p><p>Water-logging was also reported on Thursday from several parts of Patna following heavy rain. The state capital recorded an average of 42.6 mm rainfall till 5.30 pm.</p><p>Officials of the Patna Municipal Corporation (PMC) and district administration, however, claimed that rainwater was drained out in the shortest possible time despite heavy rain.</p>
<p>Patna: At least 25 people were killed in lightning strikes and hailstorms in several districts of Bihar on Thursday, officials said.</p><p>According to a statement issued by the Chief Minister's Office (CMO), Nalanda reported 18 deaths, followed by two in Siwan, one each in Katihar, Darbhanga, Begusarai, Bhagalpur and Jehanabad.</p><p>Chief Minister Nitish Kumar condoled the deaths and announced an ex gratia of Rs 4 lakh each for the next of kin of the deceased, it said.</p>.13 killed in lightning strikes in Bihar, CM Nitish annouce ex gratia .<p>On Wednesday, 13 people had died in lightning strikes in four districts of Bihar.</p><p>The India Meteorological Department has issued an ‘orange alert’ (be prepared) for a number of districts, including Darbhanga, East Champaran, Gopalganj, West Champaran, Kishanganj, Araria, Supaul, Gaya, Sitamarhi, Sheohar, Nalanda, Nawada and Patna.</p><p>It has also forecast heavy rainfall on Friday and Saturday in these districts.</p><p>"Thunderstorms with lightning and gusty winds (40-50 kmph) likely to occur at few places over Madhubani, Darbhanga, East Champaran, Gopalganj, West Champaran, Kishanganj, Araria, Supaul, Gaya, Sitamarhi, Sheohar, Nalanda, Nawada, Patna," the IMD said in a bulletin.</p><p>Water-logging was also reported on Thursday from several parts of Patna following heavy rain. The state capital recorded an average of 42.6 mm rainfall till 5.30 pm.</p><p>Officials of the Patna Municipal Corporation (PMC) and district administration, however, claimed that rainwater was drained out in the shortest possible time despite heavy rain.</p>