7 killed as storms batter Bihar districts:Heavy rain darkens skies, lightning strikes and uproots trees

Large parts of Bihar woke up to stormy weather on Friday as strong winds, heavy rain and thunderclouds swept across the state, plunging several districts into near darkness during daylight hours. From Patna and Khagaria to Rohtas, Aurangabad, Kaimur and Saran, black clouds blanketed the skies, forcing motorists to switch on headlights even in the morning. The India Meteorological Department had already issued alerts for all districts, warning of widespread rain and thunderstorms. Weather officials say similar conditions are likely to persist over the next three days. Seven killed in lightning tragedies The spell of severe weather turned deadly as lightning strikes claimed seven lives across Bihar. In Aurangabad’s Rafiganj, government school teacher Sunil Kumar Singh, 43, died after being struck by lightning inside a school campus where he was posted. Another victim, 55-year-old farmer Kedar Yadav from Kesharadi village, was killed while out for a morning walk. In Gaya district, Dinesh Yadav died after being struck by lightning while outdoors. In another incident, 17-year-old Manisha Kumari was killed when lightning hit a mahua tree under which she and her mother had taken shelter from the rain. Her mother, Gauri Devi, suffered serious injuries. Two young girls, Simran Kumari, 12, and Sweety Kumari, 10, died in Patna’s Sakraicha village while grazing goats. In Khagaria, Girish Yadav was also killed after being caught in a lightning strike. Winds uproot trees, disrupt normal life The weather system disrupted daily life across several districts. Strong winds accompanied intense rainfall in Patna, Buxar, Chhapra, Jehanabad and other regions. Residents reported conditions more typical of evening than morning, with visibility reduced significantly by dark clouds and rain. Weather impact highlights: Seven deaths reported due to lightning strikes. Trees uprooted in several VVIP areas of Patna. JCB machines deployed to clear blocked roads. Civic authorities placed on alert for waterlogging. Heavy rain and thunderstorms reported across 20 districts. Waterlogging concerns emerge Heavy showers also triggered waterlogging in several areas. Knee-deep water accumulated inside Sasaram Sadar Hospital, while roads and low-lying localities in Khagaria witnessed flooding shortly after the rain. Patna Municipal Corporation has stepped up preparedness measures to tackle possible urban flooding as rainfall continues. A red alert remains in place for Bhojpur, Gopalganj, Muzaffarpur, Patna, Nalanda, East Champaran, Saran and Siwan. CM orders crop damage assessment Chief Minister Nitish Kumar has directed the Agriculture Department and Disaster Management Department to conduct surveys of crop losses caused by the unseasonal weather. Officials are expected to submit damage assessments from affected districts as farmers express concern over standing crops. Pre-monsoon pattern takes shape Meteorologists say the current conditions bear the clear signature of pre-monsoon activity. Moisture from the Bay of Bengal, combined with a western disturbance and local low-pressure formations, has created atmospheric instability across Bihar. What lies ahead: Maximum temperatures may fall by 2°C to 4°C over the next three days. Temperatures could rise again by 3°C to 5°C during the following four days. Intermittent rain, thunderstorms and gusty winds are likely to continue into the first week of June. The southwest monsoon has not officially entered Bihar yet, though weather conditions resemble an early monsoon pattern. For now, Bihar remains firmly under the grip of turbulent pre-monsoon weather, with authorities urging residents to stay indoors during thunderstorms and remain alert to lightning warnings. ​