25 dead in lightning, hailstorms in east India

NEW DELHI: As many as 25 people died in lightning and hailstorms in various districts of India’s eastern state Bihar on Thursday, according to the state government.

State Chief Minister Nitish Kumar announced a monetary relief of 400,000 Indian Rupees (4,649 U.S. dollars) to each family of the deceased.

Similar deaths have been reported from the state over the past two days.

The meteorological department issued an Orange Alert in 13 districts in Bihar, directing locals to be prepared for rough weather over the next two days.

-Xinhua