More than 100 people killed during lightning strikes in India
A satellite image of the storms over India captured on Thursday.
More than 100 people have been killed during lightning strikes in two Indian states in two days, according to authorities.
In the northern Indian state of Uttar Pradesh, 24 people died due to lightning in the past 24 hours, according to senior Uttar Pradesh State Disaster Management Authority official Aditi Umrao.
In the neighboring Indian state of Bihar, at least 83 people were killed in lightning strikes on Thursday, according to the state government.
In total, at least 107 people have died from lightning strikes in the two states.
Bihar's Disaster Management Department said the Gopalganj district saw the highest death toll, with 13 people killed. The rest of the deaths were recorded in 22 separate areas across the state.
All the deaths in Bihar were recorded Thursday. Compensation of $5,300 will be given to the families who have lost loved ones, said Sandeep Kumar, an official at Bihar's Disaster Management Department.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi tweeted that there was "tragic news" of deaths in some districts of Bihar and Uttar Pradesh, in northern India, during heavy rains and lightning. He said the state governments were engaged in urgent relief work. "I express my condolences to the families of those who have lost their lives in this disaster," he added.
Mamata Banerjee, Chief Minister of West Bengal, said in a tweet that she was, "very disturbed" by the deaths and extended condolences to the families of the deceased.
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