Lightning kills 30 people in India’s Bihar

Patna — Over 30 people were killed and others injured during thunder lightning strikes in different parts of north Indian state of Bihar on Thursday.

The deaths occurred in Bhagalpur, Begusarai, Saharsa, Purnea, Araria, Katihar, Jamui, Khagaria, Madyepura, Madhubani, Darbhanga, Sitamarhi, Mitigari and Gaya districts, the state disaster management department official said.

The state government has announced an ex-gratia payment of Rs 4 lakh each to the relatives of victims, officials confirmed.

A research team from the University of Colombo found that countries should address how to raise awareness of lightning and improve lightning protection standards, and expressed concern that many countries had no official standards for the installation of lightning rods.