Publication Date May 9, 2017 | The Watchers

15 dead after intense thunderstorms hit Bihar, India

India
24 hours of rainfall accumulation ending 12:00 UTC on May 9, 2017. Photo: NASA/JAXA GPM
24 hours of rainfall accumulation ending 12:00 UTC on May 9, 2017. Photo: NASA/JAXA GPM

At least 15 people have been killed, including 7 due to lightning, after intense thunderstorms accompanied by heavy pre-monsoon rains hit the Indian state of Bihar on May 9, 2017.

The storm hit Bihar, dropping temperatures, while the rest of the country still endures a sizzling heat. It destroyed standing crops, damaged houses and uprooted trees in at least 11 of 30 affected districts (out of 38 total).

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Of the casualty figures due to lightning, two persons died in Begusarai, while one person each was killed in Kaimur, Maner, Darbhanga, Samastipur and Madhubani.

Reports from far-flung areas said that trees were uprooted following thunderstorm thereby affecting power supply. In areas like Khagaria and Saharsa, several houses were damaged while in Danapur, a newly-built pontoon bridge was washed away.

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According to MeT Department, the storm arrived from the northwest and hit Bihar with wind speeds of 80 km/h (50 mph), accompanied by 8.3 mm (0.31 inches) rain. The squall was followed by 10.5 mm (0.41 inches) of rain in Patna which led to drop in maximum temperatures to 28.6 °C (83.5 °F). Bhagalpur received 0.9 mm (0.03 inches) while Purnea recorded 32 mm (1.25 inches).