Patna, May 6 (IANS) Three people were killed and four others were seriously injured after lightning struck Raghopur village, located on the New Bypass Road under Bakhtiyarpur block on the outskirts of Patna, officials said on Tuesday.
The victims were cleaning wheat in a field on Monday night when a sudden thunderstorm accompanied by heavy rain forced them to take shelter under a tractor-trolley. Lightning struck the area shortly after, killing three people on the spot, including a teenage boy.
The injured were rushed to a nearby hospital for treatment.
Officials said the incident underlines the growing threat of lightning-related disasters in Bihar, particularly in rural areas where people are often exposed to the elements while working in fields.
Bihar remains one of the most vulnerable states in India in terms of lightning fatalities. According to the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB), lightning accounts for 39 per cent of all natural disaster-related deaths in the country, with Bihar contributing a significant share.
As many as 43 deaths due to lightning have already been reported in April this year alone.
Local authorities and police reached the site soon after the incident and have launched an investigation. The state government offers an ex-gratia compensation of Rs 4 lakh to the families of those who die in natural calamities.
The Meteorological Centre in Patna had issued a warning for thunderstorms, rain, and lightning in several districts ahead of the incident.
While the Disaster Management Department continues to conduct awareness campaigns, the tragedy highlights the persistent gap in preparedness and awareness in rural areas.
Officials from the Met department have urged people to avoid taking shelter under trees, in open fields, or near water bodies during storms. They advised seeking refuge in concrete or properly constructed buildings and avoiding outdoor activities, especially farming, during adverse weather conditions.
–IANS
ajk/skp
Disclaimer
The information contained in this website is for general information purposes only. The information is provided by TodayIndia.news and while we endeavour to keep the information up to date and correct, we make no representations or warranties of any kind, express or implied, about the completeness, accuracy, reliability, suitability or availability with respect to the website or the information, products, services, or related graphics contained on the website for any purpose. Any reliance you place on such information is therefore strictly at your own risk.
In no event will we be liable for any loss or damage including without limitation, indirect or consequential loss or damage, or any loss or damage whatsoever arising from loss of data or profits arising out of, or in connection with, the use of this website.
Through this website you are able to link to other websites which are not under the control of TodayIndia.news We have no control over the nature, content and availability of those sites. The inclusion of any links does not necessarily imply a recommendation or endorse the views expressed within them.
Every effort is made to keep the website up and running smoothly. However, TodayIndia.news takes no responsibility for, and will not be liable for, the website being temporarily unavailable due to technical issues beyond our control.
For any legal details or query please visit original source link given with news or click on Go to Source.
Our translation service aims to offer the most accurate translation possible and we rarely experience any issues with news post. However, as the translation is carried out by third part tool there is a possibility for error to cause the occasional inaccuracy. We therefore require you to accept this disclaimer before confirming any translation news with us.
If you are not willing to accept this disclaimer then we recommend reading news post in its original language.
