As monsoon rains hit Bihar, lightning strikes has caused 53 deaths and a dozen critically injured. The toll was 30 yesterday. A Disaster Management Committee official confirmed the number.

According to the official, three each were killed in Buxar, Saran, Kaimur, Saharsa and Katihar district.

Two each were killed in Bhojpur, Samastipur, Bhagalpur, Monghyr and Madhepura district and one each in West Champaran and Gaya district.

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In Patna and Rohtas alone, 16 people were injured by the lightning.Over a dozen people were also injured in Kosi region of Saharsa.

Five people including a minor student were killed when they were returning home on Tuesday evening in Rohtas, a district official said.

Officials said the victims’ families would get Rs four lakh each as compensation for death in natural calamity.

Lighting strikes during the monsoon season which started from the second week of June to October is common in Bihar. The rains that started earlier this week were the first of this monsoon season.