Thunderstorms kill 34 in Bihar, UP

Thunderstorms struck at several places in Bihar and Uttar Pradesh, killing at least 34 people as hutments collapsed and trees fell.

Nineteen of them died in Bihar as high-velocity winds, packing speeds of up to 70 km per hour, swept across many areas on Monday night, followed by pre-monsoon showers, the weather office said.

The Disaster Management Department announced an ex gratia of Rs 4 lakh each to the family of those killed. While five people each were killed in Aurangabad and Gaya, four were killed in Munger district.

Officials said three people were killed in Katihar when a tree fell on their house.

In Uttar Pradesh, 15 people were killed and 10 injured.

Six people were killed in Unnao, three in Raebareli, and two each in Kanpur, Pilibhit and Gonda districts.

Thunderstorm and lightning claimed seven lives in Lohardaga, Pakur and Chatra districts of Jharkhand since Sunday.

A 65-year-old woman and her granddaughter were killed on Tuesday in Lohardaga district when lightning struck them while they were in their vegetable field.