Nalanda (Bihar) [India], April 11 (HBTV): At least 22 people lost their lives in Bihar’s Nalanda district following a devastating storm and heavy rainfall, District Magistrate Shashank Shubhankar confirmed on Thursday.
Of the total casualties, 21 deaths were attributed to the thunderstorm, while one individual died due to a lightning strike. The storm also caused widespread damage to homes, livestock, and agricultural crops.
District Magistrate Shubhankar stated that Chief Minister Nitish Kumar had expressed his condolences and directed officials to provide compensation of INR 4 lakh to the families of each deceased person.
‘A total of 22 people have died; of these, 21 died due to the thunderstorm, while one died due to lightning. The Chief Minister has given directions for compensation to all the bereaved, and those directions are being implemented. A compensation of INR 4 lakh each will be provided for the deceased,’ the DM told ANI.
He further noted that an official assessment of property and crop loss would begin on Friday. ‘Tomorrow, our team will assess the loss of houses and crops, after which compensation will be provided. Five livestock also died — three buffaloes and two cows. So, the losses are being assessed, and the process of providing compensation is underway. The injured are being provided medical treatment.’
Efforts to restore normalcy are ongoing, he added. ‘All uprooted trees are being cleared on a war footing. Almost all main routes are now cleared. Electricity supply was also disrupted — more than 350 poles fell and over 15 transformers were damaged. The department has formed 42 teams and initiated a drive. We hope everything will be cleared by the morning.’
The storm, which uprooted trees and damaged structures across the region, caused fatalities in multiple blocks of Nalanda.
In one of the most severe incidents, a large Peepal tree collapsed onto a temple in Nagma village, killing several people who had taken shelter there.
Bihar Sharif Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDO) Kajale Vaibhav Nitin said, ‘We have received information confirming the death of six individuals in this tragic incident. Post-mortem procedures are underway, and the administration is extending compensation to the victims' families. The injured are receiving proper medical treatment and will be compensated as per government norms. The administration and police are working tirelessly to rescue those still affected.’
(ANI)