"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.
"Incessant rains are expected to hit South Bihar in the next 24 hours. Several parts of North Bihar will witness heavy rainfall this monsoon season," said the metrological department.
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."
