At least 33 people were killed and dozens injured by lightning strikes during severe monsoon storms in eastern India this week, officials said Friday.
The fatalities occurred in Bihar state between Wednesday and Thursday, mostly affecting farmers and laborers working outdoors, according to the state disaster management department.
More heavy rain and lightning are forecast across the region.
Bihar’s Disaster Management Minister, Vijay Kumar Mandal, told AFP that officials in high-risk districts have been instructed to raise public awareness and encourage safety precautions during lightning alerts.
The state government announced compensation of 4 million rupees (about $4,600) for each bereaved family.
Lightning remains a major threat during India’s monsoon season. Bihar recorded 243 lightning-related deaths in 2024 and 275 the year before, state data shows.
The region frequently experiences deadly floods during peak monsoon months, displacing hundreds of thousands and claiming numerous lives annually.
