Bihar Lightning Strikes Kill 5 in Khagaria: Father and Son Among the Victims

Patna (IANS): Tragic lightning strikes killed five people and injured several others in Bihar’s Khagaria district on Thursday. Sudden adverse weather conditions caught victims in open fields, triggering widespread grief across multiple villages.

Lightning Strikes Maize Field in Gogri Block: Three Dead

The most devastating incident occurred in Kanhauli village (under Baltara Panchayat in the Gogri block). Around a dozen villagers were harvesting maize in the morning when dark clouds gathered quickly, bringing heavy rain and thunder.

As the workers ran to seek shelter, lightning struck the field, killing three people instantly with severe burn injuries.

The deceased include:

• Ashutosh Yadav
• His 8-year-old son
• Vidyanand Yadav

Villagers rushed to assist the victims, but the three had already succumbed to their injuries. The strike also injured two other villagers. Paramedics transported them to a nearby hospital, where doctors confirmed they are currently out of danger.

Two Youths Killed in Beldaur Police Station Area

A separate series of lightning strikes across multiple locations in the Beldaur police station area killed two more youths and injured five others.

• Kush Mahto (21): Lightning struck Mahto at around 8:30 a.m. while he was collecting crop residue in a field near Nardapur village. He died on the spot.
• Ajnash Mahto: The same weather event inflicted severe burn injuries on the tractor driver.

Villagers rushed both men to the Community Health Centre in Beldaur. Doctors declared Kush Mahto dead on arrival, and Ajnash Mahto later succumbed to his injuries despite treatment efforts.

Additional Casualties in Itmadi Village

Another lightning strike in Itmadi village left five other individuals with severe burns. Authorities are currently verifying the identities of these victims.

Government Response and Calls for Safety Campaigns

Following the tragedy, Beldaur Circle Officer Amit Kumar visited the affected areas to supervise relief operations and arrange ambulances for the injured.

“The administration has officially recorded at least two deaths and five injuries in the Beldaur area. We have initiated procedures for immediate relief assistance and compensation under government disaster relief provisions,” Kumar confirmed.

The sudden fatalities have sparked fear among local farmers and laborers working in open fields as regional weather conditions continue to fluctuate. Local residents are now urging the administration to launch widespread public awareness campaigns regarding lightning safety and to fast-track compensation for the grieving families.