19 killed in Bihar thunderstorm

At least 19 people were killed in incidents of lightning and thunderstorm in different parts of Bihar on Monday night.

The Disaster Management Department confirmed the deaths on Tuesday and announced an ex-gratia of Rs 4 lakh each to the kin of those killed.

While five persons each were killed in Aurangabad and Gaya, four others died in Munger district. Senior officials said three persons were killed in Katihar when a tree, uprooted in the heavy rainfall and thunderstorm, fell on their house. Similarly, two others died in Nawada district.

“Chief Minister Nitish Kumar has ordered to give an ex-gratia of Rs 4 lakh each to the kin of those who lost their lives in the massive thunderstorm. Efforts are being made to complete the process of distribution of compensation amount at the earliest,” said Pratyaya Amrit, Principal Secretary, Disaster Management Department.

The Met department has termed it as pre-monsoon rainfall and predicted that normal monsoon would arrive in Bihar around June 10.