Lightning kills 18 people in Bihar

Patna: At least 18 people were killed in Bihar in lightning strikes during heavy rainfall since Tuesday, officials said here on Wednesday.

According to the Bihar Disaster Management Department, lightning claimed altogether 18 lives with Gaya and Kaimur accounting for three casualties each, followed by Patna, Bhojpur, East Champaran, Siwan and Arwal (two each) and Katihar and Jehanabad districts (one each). Heavy rain lashed several parts of the state since Tuesday afternoon, which continued till the early hours of Wednesday.