25 killed in lightning strikes in Bihar, Nitish Kumar announces ex-gratia of Rs 4 lakh

At least 25 people have been killed after being struck by lightning in several districts of Bihar, an official statement said on Wednesday.

According to the statement issued by the chief minister's office (CMO), 18 people died in Nalanda, 2 in Siwan, 1 in Katihar, 1 in Darbhanga, 1 in Begusarai, 1 in Bhagalpur and 1 in Jehanabad.

#WATCH | Visuals of severe infrastructural damage from Nalanda district in Bihar, where 18 people have died due to storm and lightning. pic.twitter.com/1FCMjnwRCA

ANI (@ANI) April 10, 2025

Chief Minister Nitish Kumar expressed condolences over the deaths and announced an ex gratia of Rs 4 lakh each to the next of kin of the deceased.

Kumar appealed to the people of the state to follow advisories issued by the Disaster Management Department, the statement added.

According to the latest Bihar Economic Survey (2024-25) report, tabled in the state assembly during the budget session in February this year, the state witnessed 275 lightning or thunderstorm-related deaths in 2023.