Bihar Weather Tragedy: Six Dead, Ten Injured in Lightning and Storm Incidents
In a series of devastating weather-related events, six individuals, including two women, lost their lives across Bihar over the past 24 hours due to rain, storms, and lightning strikes, as confirmed by officials on Saturday. Additionally, a separate incident left ten workers injured after lightning struck them while they were traveling on an open tractor in the Mokama tal area of Patna district late Friday evening.
Fatal Lightning Strikes in Gaya District
Two of the fatalities occurred in Gaya district's Dumaria block, both attributed to lightning strikes. The first incident unfolded in the Chakrabandha police station area, where farmer Mahendra Yadav was laboring in his field on Friday evening as rain commenced amid intense thunder. Before he could seek shelter, a direct lightning bolt struck him, resulting in immediate death. Tragically, his buffalo, tethered nearby, was also hit and perished.
The second incident in Gaya district took place in Kolhna village under the Wazirganj police station area on Friday evening. A 50-year-old farmer, Manoj Kumar Singh, was returning from the field accompanied by his father and other workers when sudden strong winds and rain erupted. Lightning struck Manoj, causing his instantaneous death at the scene, according to officials.
Additional Deaths and Injuries Across Districts
In Jamui district's Chakai block, a 15-year-old student named Ragini succumbed after being struck by lightning, as reported by a district official to the media. Meanwhile, Araria district experienced extensive damage from storms and rain on Friday night. Three children sustained injuries when a house wall collapsed at Darbhangiya Tola under the Forbesganj sub-division. Among them, 5-year-old Monazir died during medical treatment. In another tragic event in the same district at Kothihat village, three-year-old Shivam Kumar lost his life when a thatched house collapsed.
Kishanganj district witnessed another fatality, with a woman identified as 32-year-old Phulmani, wife of Talu Tuddu and resident of Ward 16, Satal Istamrar village under Bahadurganj block, dying after a lightning strike.
Injured Workers in Patna District Incident
In a separate but related incident, at least ten workers were injured in a lightning strike in the Mokama tal area of Patna district late Friday evening. The accident occurred as they were returning home on an open tractor after completing crop harvesting activities. The injured individuals were promptly transported to the trauma centre near Mokama for medical attention. Officials noted that these workers annually migrate from districts such as Madhepura, Khagaria, and Saharsa to the Mokama tal area for seasonal harvesting work, highlighting the vulnerability of migrant laborers to such natural disasters.
These incidents underscore the severe impact of unpredictable weather patterns in Bihar, calling for enhanced disaster preparedness and safety measures, particularly for those working outdoors in rural areas. Authorities continue to monitor the situation and provide assistance to affected families.
