Lightning strikes Bihar, 13 killed; CM announces Rs 4 lakh ex-gratia

Thirteen people lost their lives due to lightning strikes across various districts in Bihar in the last 24 hours, according to an official statement on Tuesday.
The deaths were reported from Buxar (4 deaths), West Champaran (3), Katihar (2), and one each from Kaimur, Lakhisarai, and Sitamarhi districts.
Chief Minister Nitish Kumar expressed deep sorrow over the loss of lives and extended condolences to the bereaved families.
"It is sad that in the last 24 hours, four persons have died in Buxar, 3 in West Champaran, 2 in Katihar, 1 in Kaimur, 1 in Lakhisarai and 1 in Sitamarhi due to lightning. Instructions have been given to immediately give Rs. 4 lakhs as ex-gratia to the families of the deceased," said CM Nitish Kumar in a post on X.
The Chief Minister urged people to remain indoors during adverse weather conditions and to follow safety advisories issued by the Disaster Management Department.
"People are appealed to be fully cautious during bad weather. To protect yourself from lightning, follow the suggestions issued from time to time by the Disaster Management Department. Stay indoors during bad weather and stay safe," he added.
Further investigation is still ongoing.

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Learn with AIFact CheckingText to SpeechAI Summary

Related Articles

New Indian Express

an hour ago

• New Indian Express

Consumer panel rules rain damage covered under flood clause in insurance policy

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The State Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission (SCDRC) has ruled that damage due to heavy rain can be considered as a peril falling under the 'flood and inundation' clause in an insurance policy. An SCDRC bench comprising president Justice B Sudheendra Kumar, judicial member Ajith Kumar D and member K R Radhakrishnan made the ruling citing Supreme Court orders, while considering the appeal plea filed by a Palakkad native against the district commission's denial of compensation. The bench directed the firm, United India Insurance Co Ltd, to pay Rs 32,500 as losses and Rs 5,000 as costs. The complainant had availed a Standard Fire and Special Perils policy from the firm after paying a one-time premium of Rs 5,898.90. It covered the residential building, compound wall and well belonging to him. During the term of the policy, the compound wall collapsed in heavy rain. A surveyor assigned by the firm assessed the loss at Rs 32,500. However, the company rejected the claim saying rain or heavy rain was not a peril covered under the policy. It said coverage is for destruction or damage directly caused by storm, cyclone, typhoon, hurricane, tempest, tornado, flood or inundation excluding those from earthquake, volcanic eruption or other convulsions of nature. The district commission had upheld the company's argument.

New Indian Express

a day ago

• New Indian Express

Retaining wall of Sengulam Tank in Coimbatore is ready, says CCMC chief

COIMBATORE: With the southwest monsoon already setting in, residents of Kuniyamuthur and nearby localities have urged the Coimbatore City Municipal Corporation (CCMC) to expedite the remaining construction works along the Sengulam Tank. The 265-acre tank, near Kuniyamuthur, has frequently caused flooding in adjacent neighbourhoods during monsoon seasons. It poses a threat to nearby residential areas if protective measures are not completed on time. Recognising the risk, the CCMC initiated a Rs 15-crore project under the Tamil Nadu Urban Infrastructure and Development Fund (TNUIDF) to construct a 1.85-kilometre-long retaining wall along the tank's western bund. The project also includes the laying of a tar road from Netaji Nagar in Kulathupalayam to the Kuniyamuthur-Sundakkamuthur Road, along with the installation of 120 streetlights. These developments are expected to significantly benefit over 3,500 residents, including those living in the 720 tenements built by the Tamil Nadu Urban Habitat Development Board in Ward 91. "In the past, we have suffered so much during the rains. Water from the tank would gush into our streets. We hope this time, the new wall and road will protect our homes," said M Rajalakshmi, a resident of Kulathupalayam.

Time of India

2 days ago

• Time of India

Moderate showers expose KMC claims of drain cleaning

Kanpur: Just one moderate shower has exposed the tall claims of Kanpur Municipal Corporation regarding nullah cleaning in the city. In March, as in previous years, it was decided to clean all 236 major nullahs of the city before June, and an amount of Rs 8 crore was released for this purpose. The deadline was extended three times, but effective nullah cleaning remained incomplete. June 20 was set as the third deadline, but the moderate showers on Friday 19 exposed deficiencies in the cleaning process. With the monsoon now active, even two moderate showers have caused waterlogging at several sites in the city, particularly in Kanpur South. At the notorious Sisamau nullah, silt was seen lying on the bank, not yet lifted, while desilting work continued. After showers on Thursday and Friday, silt accumulated on the bank once again entered the nullah. Most drains that were de-silted have become flooded with silt once again as the recent showers washed it back into them. The municipal corporation officials claimed that around 180 nullahs had been de-silted and cleaned, with work on the remaining pending nullahs to be completed by June 20. A media team visited about a dozen nullahs to verify these claims and observed that in one-third of the locations silt was lying on the banks, another third were overflowing with silt, and others were only semi-cleaned with silt accumulated on the sides.