At least 80 people have died in the past 24 hours across Bihar and Uttar Pradesh as a result of severe thunderstorms, lightning, and heavy rainfall, Indian authorities confirmed on April 11, 2025. The fatalities were primarily caused by lightning strikes, collapsing walls, and falling trees, with the brunt of the destruction focused in rural areas where many were working outdoors.
Bihar: 58 Fatalities, Widespread Devastation
The state of Bihar reported 58 deaths, with the highest toll in Nalanda district (22 deaths), according to Patna Press (April 11, 2025). Additional fatalities were reported in Bhojpur (5), Siwan (4), and multiple other districts. Most victims were farmers and daily wage workers caught in the open when the storm hit.
Heavy rains and violent winds uprooted trees, toppled electric poles, and damaged infrastructure across the region, leaving many areas without power. Social media images from Nalanda showed blocked roads and extensive debris.
Chief Minister Nitish Kumar announced an ex gratia compensation of ₹400,000 (approx. USD 4,800) to the families of the deceased and ordered local officials to coordinate relief and recovery operations.
Uttar Pradesh: 22 Dead, 11 Districts Affected
In neighboring Uttar Pradesh, 22 people died, including 13 from lightning strikes and 9 due to building collapses and storm-related accidents, according to ABP Live (April 11, 2025). Fatalities were reported from 11 rain-hit districts including Kanpur Dehat, Fatehpur, Firozabad, Azamgarh, and Ballia.
Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath offered the same compensation to affected families and directed disaster management teams to survey crop damage and assess losses to infrastructure and livelihoods.
Meteorological Warnings and Outlook
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued an orange alert for multiple districts in North Bihar, Kosi, and Seemanchal, warning of continued thunderstorms, lightning, and winds up to 40 km/h (25 mph). A yellow alert remains in effect for the rest of Bihar.
Forecasts predict heavy rain in parts of Champaran, Supaul, Araria, Purnia, and Katihar, with scattered thunderstorms expected to persist until Saturday, April 12, after which temperatures may begin to rise, according to the Patna Meteorological Centre.
Rising Threat of Extreme Weather
This is the second major lightning-related tragedy in Bihar in recent weeks, following an earlier event where 25 people were killed in eight districts. Experts and environmentalists continue to warn of increasingly erratic weather patterns in the region, likely linked to climate change, which is expected to intensify monsoon irregularities and the frequency of extreme weather events.
Sources:
- Patna Press, “Bihar Faces More Storms After Deadly 24 Hours Leave 58 Dead” – April 11, 2025
- ABP Live, “Thunderstorm, Lightning Claim 80 Lives In Bihar, UP” – April 11, 2025
- India Meteorological Department – imd.gov.in
