NEW DELHI, July 10 (Xinhua) -- At least 23 people were killed and over a dozen injured in lightning and thunderstorm across India's eastern state of Bihar, officials said Monday.
The casualties were reported from Vaishali, Saran and Patna city, the capital city of Bihar.
"Maximum seven casualties are from Vaishali followed by four each from Patna and Saran districts," a local official said. "The remaining eight deaths were reported from Gaya, Sasaram, Araria and Nalanda districts of the state."
The meteorological department in the state has issued an alert in next 48 hours in view of heavy rains and thunderstorms.
According to state-run broadcaster, the local government has announced an ex gratia relief to every family that has lost their member in the natural calamity.
As per India's National Crime Records Bureau, at least 2,000 people have died in lightning strikes in India every year since 2005.
