Bihar hit by deadly thunderstorms and lightning, claiming 80 lives in 72 hours. Districts like Nalanda, Patna, and Gaya worst affected. Rising toll sparks climate and awareness concerns.
By Dilip Shekhawat | Patna | April 14, 2025
In one of Bihar’s most devastating pre-monsoon disasters in recent memory, lightning and thunderstorms have claimed 80 lives in just 72 hours, spreading fear and destruction across the state. Despite prior weather alerts, several districts—including Nalanda, Patna, and Gaya—suffered heavy casualties, raising concerns over climate change and low public awareness.
Nalanda Worst-Hit as Storms Strike Without Mercy
The most affected district was Nalanda, where 23 people died, including seven victims crushed under a collapsed tree and temple wall. The storm swept through so quickly that many residents had no time to find safe shelter.
“People ran for cover under trees or flimsy structures—sadly, these turned into death traps,” a local officer said.
Other Affected Districts Include:
- Patna, Nawada, Kaimur, Rohtas, Aurangabad
- Gaya, Banka, Bhagalpur, Katihar, Purnia
- Kishanganj, Araria, East Champaran, Gopalganj, Sheohar
Along with the human toll, agriculture suffered massively, with onion fields and rabi crops flattened by the storms—deepening the economic burden on already distressed farmers.
SMS Alerts Ignored: Where Did It Go Wrong?
According to Bihar’s Disaster Management Department, over 12 crore SMS warnings were sent out on April 10. However, officials admit many villagers either:
- Did not receive the alerts in time
- Ignored them due to lack of awareness
- Did not understand the risk level
This disconnect between early warnings and public response is now at the center of the debate on disaster preparedness.
Lightning Deaths on the Rise: What Data Reveals
A recent meteorological study in Patna revealed alarming trends:
- 271 average deaths per year (2017–2022)
- Most lightning deaths occurred in rural zones during early monsoon or summer pre-monsoon storms
- Bihar’s high-risk lightning zones include:
- Southwest Bihar (Kaimur, Rohtas, Aurangabad, Gaya)
- South-central belt (Patna, Nalanda, Nawada)
- Eastern Bihar (Banka, Bhagalpur, Katihar, Purnia, Kishanganj, Araria)
- Northern Bihar (East Champaran, Gopalganj, Sheohar)
Déjà Vu: Bihar’s Second Major Lightning Disaster in 4 Years
This is Bihar’s second major lightning-related tragedy in recent history. The previous disaster in June 2020 saw over 90 people die in a single day, most of them poor farmers working in the fields.
“We’re fighting two battles—against climate change and public unawareness,” said a senior disaster management official.
The Way Forward: Urgent Reforms Needed
Experts are calling for:
- Lightning-safe shelters in vulnerable villages
- Improved dissemination of warnings through local leaders and audio alerts
- Inclusion of thunderstorm safety in school and community education
- Investment in lightning detection infrastructure and real-time maps
Until then, millions across Bihar remain vulnerable to nature’s fury—and the next deadly storm could strike at any moment.
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