KATHMANDU: Lightning strikes have killed more than 100 people across two states in northern India recently.
According to India media, as many as 83 were killed in Bihar state while another 20 were in hospital with injuries.
At least 20 more people are reported dead in neighboring Uttar Pradesh with the onset of the monsoon rains.
The authorities have warned residents to be vigilant and stay indoors, as meteorologists forecast more bad weather in the days ahead.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed condolences to the victims’ families and said relief efforts were under way.
This was one of the highest tolls from lightning the state had recorded in recent years, according to the Ministry of Bihar’s Disaster Management.
In Uttar Pradesh most of the deaths occurred in Deoria district close to the Nepal border and the holy city of Prayagraj, authorities said.
More than 2,300 people were killed by lightning in India in 2018, according to the National Crime Records Bureau and at least 2,000 people have died in lightning strikes every year since 2005.
(With inputs from Agencies)
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