At least 69 died in thunderstorms in India, Nepal

At least 69 people have died this week as intense thunderstorms swept through parts of eastern India’s Bihar state and neighboring Nepal, officials confirmed on Saturday.

Bihar’s disaster management authorities reported that 61 people were killed during strong thunderstorms and lightning strikes on Thursday and Friday. In nearby Nepal, disaster officials told AFP that eight others died from lightning-related incidents on Wednesday and Thursday.

The India Meteorological Department has forecast further heavy rainfall for Bihar on Saturday, raising concerns of additional hazards in the already-affected regions.

While flash floods and lightning claim thousands of lives annually in South Asia, climate experts warn that rising global temperatures are intensifying the frequency and severity of extreme weather events.

Last year, researchers highlighted a troubling rise in deadly lightning incidents in India, where nearly 1,900 people are killed by lightning strikes each year. A study by Fakir Mohan University in Odisha revealed that between 1967 and 2020, lightning strikes claimed over 101,000 lives in the country, with a sharp increase noted from 2010 to 2020.

Authorities in both countries have urged residents in vulnerable areas to remain alert as unpredictable weather patterns continue to pose risks to lives and livelihoods.