Lightning
© AP/Channi Anand
Repeated lightning strikes have killed as many as 120 farmers in the eastern parts of India forcing workers to demand strong action from the authorities.

The monsoon season and incessant rainfall sweeping several parts of India were accompanied by deadly lightning strikes. Though the exact death toll is yet to be ascertained, at least 120 people, mostly farm-workers, are believed to have been killed and women and children are also among the casualties. Another unspecified number of people were injured.

"Lightning strikes are common during monsoons, but there have been more strikes than usual this year," said Vyas Ji, a senior government official in Bihar, where the most number of deaths occurred. Several others were killed in other states like Uttar Pradesh, Jharkhand and Madhya Pradesh.


India has been praying for a healthy rainfall to satisfy the parched farmers as the monsoon season failed for the last two consecutive years. However, both the authorities and farmers are ill-prepared when it comes to dealing with the lightning strikes. Officials fear the death toll could rise further.

Bihar's Chief Minister Nitish Kumar also chaired an emergency session over the situation demanding to set the government action in motion.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi said, "My thoughts and prayers are with those who lost their near and dear due to the lightning strikes. May the injured recover quickly," adding that he is "deeply anguished by the loss of lives due to lightning."