June 17:
At least 25 people were killed over the weekend in northern India due to a combination of lightning strikes and torrential rainfall, officials said on Monday. The fatalities were reported primarily from the states of Uttar Pradesh and Bihar, where heavy monsoon activity wreaked havoc across rural and urban regions.
In Uttar Pradesh, 15 people lost their lives in separate lightning incidents across several districts, including Prayagraj, Fatehpur, Kaushambi, and Pratapgarh. Most of the victims were farmers and daily-wage workers caught in open fields when the storms intensified. Authorities confirmed that several others sustained injuries and are being treated at local hospitals.
Bihar also reported at least 10 deaths due to lightning strikes, with rural areas bearing the brunt of the extreme weather. The Bihar Disaster Management Department has announced an ex gratia payment of ₹4 lakh to the families of each victim. The state government has also issued advisories urging residents to take shelter during thunderstorms and avoid venturing into open spaces.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) attributed the intense lightning and rainfall to active monsoon conditions combined with a cyclonic circulation over eastern Uttar Pradesh and Bihar. Rainfall totals exceeded 150 mm in several regions, resulting in waterlogging, traffic disruptions, and damage to infrastructure in cities such as Lucknow, Varanasi, and Patna.
The IMD has issued an orange alert for the next 48 hours, warning of continued heavy rain, thunderstorm activity, and potential lightning strikes in eastern Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, and neighboring areas. Residents have been advised to remain indoors and monitor weather alerts regularly.
Environmental experts noted that the increasing frequency of lightning-related deaths in India is linked to changing climate patterns. Rising surface temperatures and atmospheric instability during the monsoon are contributing factors, they said.
Both Uttar Pradesh and Bihar governments have launched awareness campaigns to educate the public about lightning safety. Local authorities are urging people to avoid sheltering under trees, stay away from water bodies, and refrain from using electronic devices outdoors during storms.
The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) is working with state disaster response units to strengthen early warning systems and expand the reach of mobile alert services in vulnerable areas.
Over 2,000 people die annually in India due to lightning strikes, according to government data. The latest deaths underscore the urgent need for improved preparedness, early alerts, and public education to mitigate such tragedies during the monsoon season.
