Why Bihar still sees high lightning deaths despite warnings
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Such tragedies are not new to the state. Five years earlier, on June 25, 2020, began like any other in Bihar. The sky was heavy with monsoon clouds, and farmers were already at work in the fields. By afternoon, thunderstorms swept across the state. Within hours, 83 people were dead, struck by lightning in one of the worst single-day tragedies Bihar has ever seen.
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A new scientific study has reconstructed the event, examining what made that day so deadly. The research, published in the journal Natural Hazards, links the high death toll to extreme weather conditions combined with the exposure of people working in open fields.
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“Lightning is a silent killer here,” said Rajkumar Guria, a co-author of the study and assistant professor at Fakir Mohan University. “People don’t see it coming. Unlike floods or cyclones, lightning gives very little time to react. Awareness is low, and protection is limited.”
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The researchers argue that single-day tragedies like June 25, 2020, can be reduced with targeted measures. The study recommends mobile-based alert systems, occupation-specific safety guidelines, and community awareness campaigns.
“Simple actions like avoiding open fields, not standing under trees, and taking shelter in pucca buildings can save lives,” Mishra said. “But people must know when lightning risk is high. That requires better communication.”
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