Lightning caused havoc in Bihar and Jharkhand in the last 24 hours, claiming 57 and 10 lives respectively.
Bihar State Disaster Management Department officials said reports of the deaths from 17 districts were confirmed. The death toll was high in Patna district -- five people from Bihta, two from Naubatpur and one from Danapur were killed in the last 24 hours. Thirteen animals were also struck dead by lightning.
The weather department has forecast rain for three more days in Bihar.
ADVERTISEMENT
The State government has announced the payment of Rs 4 lakh as compensation to the next of kin of each victim. It said steps would be taken to make people aware of lightning and how to save themselves from it.
Other districts from where lightning deaths were reported are Nalanda, Purnia, Kaimur, Rohtas, Sharasha, Katihar, Buxar, Samastipur, Muzaffarpur, Munger, Bhojpur, Madhepura, Kishanganj, Aurangabad and Saran.