Daijiworld Media Network - Patna

Patna, May 5: A sudden spell of extreme weather has caused widespread devastation across Bihar in the last 24 hours, claiming over 20 lives and leaving many injured. Fierce storms, heavy rain, and lightning strikes hit multiple districts, with East Champaran, Gaya, and Aurangabad among the hardest hit.

The state government has announced financial assistance of ?4 lakh for each bereaved family, as rescue and relief efforts continue.

The turmoil followed a day marked by intense heat and humidity. By Monday afternoon, the sky darkened across several regions, and by evening, strong winds, rain, and lightning swept through large parts of the state.

Reports of casualties have emerged from various districts. In Patna district’s Barh area, two people lost their lives after trees and walls collapsed. East Champaran recorded five deaths, while Gaya and Aurangabad each reported three fatalities, with lightning cited as a major cause in Aurangabad. Other districts including Vaishali, Sitamarhi, and Bhojpur also reported deaths.

In Sitamarhi, two women, Rakiba Khatoon and Nikhat Parveen, were killed when an electric pole fell during the storm. Another individual, Ghulam Hussain, was seriously injured and is currently undergoing treatment. The incident has sparked anger among locals, who blame poor maintenance of electrical infrastructure for the tragedy.

In Rohtas, a 25-year-old man, Balwant Paswan, died after being struck by lightning at a worksite, while four others sustained injuries.

A potentially major disaster was narrowly avoided at Azamnagar railway station in the Katihar division when a large tree branch fell onto a high-voltage overhead wire, triggering a fire. Thick smoke spread across the platform, causing panic among passengers. A passenger train was delayed for nearly an hour before railway authorities managed to control the situation and resume services.

The storms have severely disrupted daily life, with uprooted trees and fallen electric poles blocking roads and causing prolonged power outages in several areas.

Earlier in the day, the India Meteorological Department had issued a warning about possible storms, rainfall, and lightning across Bihar. Officials are urging residents to remain alert and adhere to safety guidelines, as unstable weather conditions are expected to continue.