August 2, 2024 9:13 PM.
In Bihar, at least eight people lost their lives due to lightning strikes in the last 24 hours. Three deaths each occurred in Patna and Aurangabad districts, followed by one casualty each in Nawada and Saran. Chief Minister Nitish Kumar has expressed grief over the loss of lives in these incidents.
Mr. Kumar has ordered to provide ex-gratia of four lakh rupees to the next of kin of each of the victims. The Met Department has appealed to people not to venture out during rains and lightning for agriculture-related activities.
Ex gratia meaning is a payment made out of virtue to individuals by an organization or government for claims and damages.
The Chief minister has asked people to be vigilant and stay at home during thunderstorms.
He has also encouraged citizens to adhere to the advisories released by the State Disaster Management Department regarding thunderstorms and heavy rainfall.
According to the Bihar Economic Survey report for 2023-2024, the state witnessed 400 deaths related to lightning and thunderstorms in 2022-23 and the highest number of deaths were reported from Gaya (46), Bhojpur (23) and Nawada (21).
The state government allocated Rs 430 crore for management of disasters in 2022-23 and of this Rs 285.22 crore went toward local disasters like lightning and drowning