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2nd LD Writethru: At least 100 killed in lightning, rain related incidents in India

Xinhua, June 22, 2016 Adjust font size:

At least 100 people were killed and scores injured due to overnight lightning in three Indian states of Bihar, Jharkhand and Uttar Pradesh, India's state-run broadcaster All India Radio (AIR) said Wednesday.

Officials said the deaths have been caused due to lightning and rain related incidents.

"In Bihar, the death toll has rose up to 56," the broadcaster said. "In Uttar Pradesh, 40 such deaths have been reported while as four deaths have also been reported from Jharkhand."

Reports said lightning struck in several places of Bihar including Patna, Rohtash, Kaimur, Aurangabad and Buxar districts.

"The Bihar state disaster management department has instructed district officials of the affected areas to assess the extent of damage," an official posted in Bihar said.

According to officials, the injured were admitted at local hospitals.

In Uttar Pradesh, deaths were reported from Varanasi, Azamgarh, Basti and Gorakhpur. Reports said in Jharkhand, four persons frome a single family were killed in lightning at Haldia tand in Chatra district.

"Four others injured in the incident have been admitted to Chatra Sadar hospital," officials said.

Authorities in the affected states have intensified rescue measures and announced relief and compensation for the victims.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has expressed deep anguish over the loss of lives in the country.

Deeply anguished by loss of lives due to lightning in parts of Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand and other parts of the nation over the last few days, Modi wrote on twitter. "My thoughts and prayers are with those who lost their near and dear ones due to the lightning. May the injured recover quickly."

India's most important weather phenomenon monsoons (the rainy season) has arrived this month. The monsoon period which brings about 80 percent of annual rainfall in India begins in June and lasts until September.

Meteorological department officials said there will be lightning and rain in next 48 hours in several parts of Bihar and adjoining states.

At least 2,000 people have died in lightning strikes in India every year since 2005, according to India's National Crime Records Bureau. Endit