Bihar Storms Claim 19 Lives and Ravage Crops Across State
In a tragic turn of events, 19 people have lost their lives within 48 hours as powerful storms ripped through several districts of Bihar. The devastation has struck both human life and agriculture, with extensive crop damage reported across the region.
Districts including Begusarai, Darbhanga, Madhubani, Saharsa, Samastipur, Lakhisarai, and Gaya have been the worst hit, experiencing deadly combinations of lightning strikes, hailstorms, and violent winds. The abrupt weather disturbances have not only claimed lives but also left families grappling with the destruction of their livelihoods.
Bihar Storms Wreak Havoc
The storms have caused significant damage to standing Rabi crops, particularly wheat, mango, and litchi, in key agricultural areas such as Darbhanga, Madhubani, Muzaffarpur, Sitamarhi, Shivhar, Samastipur, and East Champaran. For many farmers already burdened by previous seasonal uncertainties, this blow is catastrophic.
Bihar’s Chief Minister has expressed grief over the loss of lives and directed that an ex-gratia of ₹4 lakh be provided to the families of the deceased. He has also asked district authorities to begin a comprehensive assessment of the agricultural losses and to provide all necessary relief to affected farmers and households.
Relief Measures and Government Response
Officials have been deployed to conduct surveys of the damaged areas and ensure that compensation reaches victims without bureaucratic delays. Emergency response teams have been put on alert, and temporary shelters are being arranged where necessary.
Weather Warnings Remain in Place
The India Meteorological Department has predicted that the unstable weather pattern will continue through April 12. Forecasts suggest a likelihood of more rain, lightning, hailstorms, and high-speed winds. The present storm activity has been linked to a cyclonic circulation stemming from a low-pressure zone over the west-central Bay of Bengal, which is fuelling the erratic conditions across Bihar.
Citizens are being urged to take precautions, especially in rural areas where lightning strikes have proved fatal. People have been advised to stay indoors during thunderstorm alerts, avoid sheltering under trees, and ensure that loose objects and temporary structures are secured to prevent accidents.
As the state braces for more rough weather in the coming days, the immediate focus remains on safeguarding lives and stabilizing conditions in the storm-battered districts.
