Squall claims 11 lives in Bihar

The Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar addressing the members of Bihar Legislative Assembly & Bihar Legislative Council during e-Governance leadership meet at Bihar Legislative Assembly Annex in Patna on Thursday. Photo: Ranjeet Kumar

Eleven people lost their lives in squalls that lashed vast areas in Bihar’s Kosi, Seemanchal and the State’s northern belt on Wednesday, official sources said on Thursday.

While nine persons lost their lives in thunderstorms, two others were electrocuted, according to reports received from Muzaffarpur, Purnia, Kishanganj, Saharsa, Madhepura and Supaul districts.

Chief Minister Nitish Kumar held a meeting of top State officials to review the damages caused by the squalls.

Mr. Kumar announced that the State government would provide Rs one lakh from the Calamity Relief Fund, besides Rs 50,000 from CM’s Relief Fund to families of each of the dead.

The State agriculture department was asked to assess damages caused to standing crops and to provide compensation to farmers as per norms.