Patna — Nine people were killed in lightning strikes across three districts of Bihar in the last 24 hours, the Chief Minister’s Office said on Tuesday, as authorities moved to provide ex gratia relief and urged residents to follow disaster management directions during bad weather.
Deaths reported across Banka, Lakhisarai and Patna
The CMO statement said five deaths were recorded in Banka, three in Lakhisarai and one in Patna district. The state government announced an ex gratia payment of ₹4 lakh for the next of kin of each deceased, according to the statement.
Detailed incidents in Banka were reported from Bausi police station area. Three women from the same family — Kushmi Devi (45), Rinku Devi (35) and Renu Devi (38) — died in Porai village after being struck while outside their home. Two other deaths in the district involved Suresh Yadav of Sirai village, who was struck near a pond while heading to his field and died on the spot, and Sufiyana Khatoon (50) of Kazi Kairi village, who was returning from delivering breakfast to labourers working in a paddy field when she was struck.
| District | Deaths reported |
|---|---|
| Banka | 5 |
| Lakhisarai | 3 |
| Patna | 1 |
| Total | 9 |
Relief, administration response
Administrative officials in Banka said compensation and other assistance would be provided in accordance with disaster management protocols. Banka Additional District Magistrate Ajit Kumar was cited in the CMO statement confirming that victims’ families would be paid as per the prescribed norms.
The CMO also said Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary urged residents to exercise caution and remain indoors during adverse weather, and to follow directives issued by the Disaster Management Department.
Practical information for residents
Local officials reminded farmers and field workers to take precautions during thunderstorms and to avoid open spaces, lone trees, water bodies and metal structures when lightning is reported in the area. Authorities also advised that local disaster-control rooms and police stations should be contacted immediately in case of emergencies so medical help can be dispatched swiftly.
- Immediate relief: Ex gratia of ₹4 lakh to next of kin announced by the state.
- Who to contact: Local police stations and district disaster management control rooms for urgent assistance.
- Safety measures: Avoid open fields and water bodies during storms; seek shelter in buildings or hard-topped vehicles.
Local impact and context
The fatalities highlight the vulnerability of rural residents who work outdoors in agriculture and related occupations, particularly during the monsoon when thunderstorms and lightning are common. In Banka, the loss of three women from a single family underscores how sudden weather events can leave multiple dependants bereaved and economically insecure.
While the CMO release provided immediate figures and relief measures, district administrations are expected to verify the incidents, complete standard documentation and process compensation through disaster relief channels. Officials will also assess whether local warning systems and community-level preparedness need strengthening to reduce such casualties in future storms.
Further details on the incidents in Lakhisarai and Patna districts were limited in the CMO statement. District-level authorities will issue detailed reports after local verification and registration of the deaths under disaster relief norms.
The state government’s announcement of monetary relief is aimed at providing immediate assistance to bereaved families, but long-term measures such as awareness campaigns, early warning dissemination and better shelter options for field workers will be necessary to reduce the recurring toll of lightning-related deaths during the monsoon season.
Reporting from the districts continues as administrations process claims and the Disaster Management Department issues advisories for residents across affected areas.
