Lightning kills 21 in Bihar

At least 21 people, including women and children, were killed by lightning in different parts of Bihar, officials said Sunday.

Official sources in the state disaster management department said that six people were killed by lightning in Aurangabad district. Five people were killed in Banka, three in Jamui, two in Supaul and one each in Bhojpur, Katihar, Patna, Gaya and Rohtas districts. Over a dozen people have also been injured.

"Six people, including four children and two farmers, have been killed by bolts of lightning when they were playing in the field Saturday evening and working in a paddy plantation Sunday in Aurangabad," said an official of the state disaster management department.

In Supaul, two people, including a principal of a private school, was killed when lightning hit school premises Sunday. Half a dozen others were injured.

Lightning strikes during the monsoon season (June-second half of Oct) are common in Bihar.