At Least 13 Killed In Lightning Strikes In Bihar And Uttarakhand

Heavy rains and lightning on Sunday caused huge devastation of life and property in many states.

Bihar reported 10 deaths due to lightning strikes, three of these were reported in Purnia, two in Begusarai and one each in Patna, Saharsa, East Champaran, Madhepura, and Darbhanga.

According to the State Disaster Management Authority, 160 people died due to lightning in the state in the last three weeks.

Earlier on June 25, at least 83 people died in the state due to lightning strikes. Chief Minister Nitish Kumar has announced a compensation of Rs four lakh to the families of the victims.

Apart from Bihar, three people died while eight are missing due to lightning strikes in Madhkot village of Pithoragarh in Uttarakhand.

3 people in the Madkot village lost their lives while 8 people from a neighbouring village are missing following a cloud burst. A rescue team is present at the spot: District Magistrate Pithoragarh V K Jogdande #Uttarakhand pic.twitter.com/bPQ1fAvjBl

— ANI (@ANI) July 20, 2020

Five houses were washed away after the Gori river was in spate in Pithoragarh’s Munsiyari. According to District DM VK Jagadonde, 30 other houses are also in danger due to heavy rains. All affected families have been evacuated to safer places.

Uttarakhand: 5 houses washed away in Munsyari after water level increased in the Gori river due to incessant rainfall. VK Jogdande, Pithoragarh DM says,"All affected families have been shifted to a safe place & will be provided compensation. 30 more houses are in danger." (19.07) pic.twitter.com/SUXoZGhc3P

— ANI (@ANI) July 20, 2020

Meanwhile, the first heavy monsoon rains in Delhi also killed four people. These include a truck driver who was trapped in an underpass filled with water.

The Indian Meteorological Department has said that this year the monsoon has received six percent more rainfall than normal. However, there is a decline of 19 percent in rainfall recorded in Jammu and Kashmir, Ladakh, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Punjab, Haryana, Chandigarh, Delhi and Uttar Pradesh.