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BFF-22
INDIA-LIGHTNING-DEATH
Lightning, thunderstorm kills 8 in India’s Bihar
NEW DELHI, July 4, 2020 (BSS/XINHUA) – At least eight people were killed due to lightning and thunderstorm in the eastern Indian state of Bihar, officials said Saturday.
The deaths have taken place during the past 24 hours in Samastipur, Lakhisarai, Gaya, Banka and Jamui.
“Three people were killed in Samastipur, two in Lakhisarai, and one each in Gaya, Banka and Jamui,” an official at Bihar disaster management department said.
On Thursday, 26 people were killed in similar strikes in the state. Prior to that on Tuesday 11 people were killed in the state.
Last week also 83 people died due to heavy rains and lightning in the state.
Disaster management officials said the victims were either working inside their fields or had taken shelter under trees at the time of lightning.
Local government has appealed people to take care during bad weather conditions and avoid venturing out at the time of lightning and thunderstorms.
At present India is in the grip of southwest monsoon and most parts are experiencing heavy to very heavy rainfall, besides extremely heavy spells at isolated spots.
BSS/XINHUA/SSS/1441 hrs