At least nine persons were killed in lightning strikes in six districts of Bihar between Friday and Saturday.

The lightning deaths were reported from Jehanabad, Madhepura, East Champaran, Rohtas, Saran and Supaul districts.

According to a statement issued by the Chief Minister’s Office (CMO) on Saturday, Jehanabad district reported three deaths followed by two in Madhepura, one each in East Champaran, Rohtas, Saran and Supaul. Chief minister Nitish Kumar expressed grief on Saturday and directed the concerned officials to provide ₹4 lakh ex gratia to the deceased’s next of kin.

The chief minister appealed to people to stay indoors during inclement weather and urged them to follow advisories issued by the disaster management department.

Rise in water levels

Water level of different rivers in Bihar have started rising at several places due to torrential rain in the last 24 hours, officials said on Saturday.

Light to moderate rain was recorded in Banka, Begusarai, Bhagalpur, Bhojpur, Buxar, Gaya, Jehanabad, Kaimur, Katihar, Khagaria, Munger, Nalanda, Patna, Nawada, Purnea, Saran, Sheikhpura, Siwan and Vaishali since July 4, according to the latest rainfall bulletin issued by the water resources department.

People living in low-lying areas of East and West Champaran districts have been shifted to safer places, they said.

With inputs from PTI