Deadly Storms Lash Bihar, Leave Trail of Destruction and Loss

Patna — A sudden spell of extreme weather has battered Bihar over the past 24 hours, claiming more than 20 lives and injuring several others. Fierce storms, heavy rainfall, and lightning strikes swept across the state, causing widespread damage and panic.

The districts hit hardest include East Champaran, Gaya, and Aurangabad. In the aftermath, the Chief Minister’s Secretariat announced a compensation of ?4 lakh for each of the deceased victims’ families.

The weather took a sharp turn after a day marked by intense heat and humidity. By Monday afternoon, dark clouds began building up, and by evening, strong winds, rain, and lightning engulfed large parts of Bihar.

Tragic incidents were reported from multiple districts. In Patna’s Barh area, two people lost their lives after trees fell and walls collapsed. East Champaran reported five deaths, while Gaya and Aurangabad recorded three deaths each, many caused by lightning strikes.

Other districts also reported casualties—Vaishali (1), Sitamarhi (2), and Bhojpur (1). In Sitamarhi, two women, Rakiba Khatoon and Nikhat Parveen, were killed when an electric pole toppled during the storm. Another individual, Ghulam Hussain, was seriously injured and is currently undergoing treatment.

The tragedy has sparked anger among locals, who have blamed poor maintenance of electrical infrastructure for the incident.

In Rohtas, a 25-year-old worker, Balwant Paswan, died after being struck by lightning at a worksite, while four others were injured.

A potentially major disaster was averted at Azamnagar railway station in the Katihar division, where a large tree branch fell onto a high-voltage overhead wire, triggering a fire. Passengers were left in panic as smoke spread across the platform. Train number 55708 (Katihar–Radhikapur Passenger) was delayed for nearly an hour before officials managed to restore normalcy.

The storms also disrupted daily life across the state. Roads were blocked due to fallen trees and poles, and several areas faced prolonged power outages.

Earlier in the day, the India Meteorological Department had issued warnings about possible storms, rain, and lightning. Authorities have urged residents to stay alert and follow safety guidelines, as unstable weather conditions are expected to continue.

With inputs from IANS