Lightning kills 17 in Bihar

PATNA - Seventeen people, including women and children, have been killed by lightning across Bihar since Tuesday, an official said Wednesday.

“Ten men, five women and two children have been killed by bolts of lightning in Bihar,” said an official of the state Disaster Management Department.

Over a dozen people also sustained burn injuries.

Nawada district reported seven deaths, Nalanda four, Sheikhpura three, Gaya two and Patna one.

The state government has announced a compensation of Rs.1 lakh each for victims’ kins.

Lightning strikes during the June-September monsoon season are common in Bihar.

Last month, over two dozen people were killed by lightning in north Bihar districts.