Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his condolences after lightning strikes and thunderstorms in Bihar killed many people, injured many and caused widespread damage to property in the last two days.
Expressing anguish at the loss of lives, Modi said the state governments are working towards relief and rehabilitation.

“Received tragic news about death of several people in some districts of Uttar Pradesh and Bihar due to heavy rains and lightening. The state governments are engaged in relief work with promptness,” he tweeted in Hindi.

At least 107 people have died from lightning strikes in northern and eastern India, officials said, during the early stages of the annual monsoon season.

Some 83 people were killed in the impoverished eastern state of Bihar after being struck by lightning, and another 24 died in northern Uttar Pradesh state.

Dozens more were injured, officials said.
Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar has announced a compensation of Rs 4 lakh for the families of the victims.

Home Minister Amit Shah also expressed grief on the tragedy. “I am extremely saddened by the death of many people in Uttar Pradesh and Bihar due to heavy rain and lightning. Relief work is going on fast in both the states. I express my condolences to the families of those who have lost their lives in this disaster and wish the injured to be well soon,” he tweeted.

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi also tweeted his condolences.
“I am shocked to hear the news of 83 people dying due to lightning in Bihar. May God grant strength to their loved ones to bear this sorrow,” he said in a tweet.

Lightning strikes during the June-September annual monsoon are fairly common in India. But Bihar’s disaster management minister, Lakshmeshwar Rai, said this was one of the highest daily tolls from lightning the state had recorded in recent years.