Rains Wreak Havoc in Bihar and UP, Death Toll Mounts to 47

47 Dead as Severe Rains and Thunderstorms Batter Bihar and Uttar Pradesh

Severe weather conditions, including heavy rainfall, thunderstorms, and lightning strikes, have claimed at least 47 lives across Bihar and Uttar Pradesh on April 10, 2025. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued continued warnings, forecasting more thunderstorms with high wind speeds and heavy rain in the coming days.

According to Press Trust of India (PTI), 25 people died in Bihar due to lightning and storm-related incidents. Nalanda district reported the highest toll with 18 deaths, followed by Siwan (2), and one death each in Katihar, Darbhanga, Begusarai, Bhagalpur, and Jehanabad, as per a statement issued by the Chief Minister’s Office. Earlier, on April 9, 13 people were also killed by lightning in four districts of Bihar.

The IMD has issued an ‘orange alert’ for several districts in Bihar, including Darbhanga, East Champaran, Gopalganj, West Champaran, Kishanganj, Araria, Supaul, Gaya, Sitamarhi, Sheohar, Nalanda, Nawada, and Patna, warning of thunderstorms, lightning, and wind speeds between 40–50 kmph on April 11 and 12.

In Uttar Pradesh, at least 22 people lost their lives due to heavy rain and thunderstorms, according to The Indian Express. Fatalities were reported in multiple districts: three each in Fatehpur and Azamgarh, two each in Firozabad, Kanpur Dehat, and Sitapur, and one each in Ghazipur, Gonda, Amethi, Sant Kabir Nagar, Siddharthnagar, Ballia, Kannauj, Barabanki, Jaunpur, and Unnao. India Today also reported that the IMD has forecast more thunderstorms with similar wind speeds for parts of the state.

Political reactions have followed the natural disaster. Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar announced ex gratia compensation of Rs 4 lakh for the families of the deceased. Meanwhile, RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav claimed that over 50 people had died across Bihar in incidents caused by storm-related events such as wall collapses and tree falls. He urged the government to ensure proper compensation not only to families of victims but also to farmers whose crops were damaged by the sudden and intense rainfall.

The recent weather events have caused significant damage to property, agriculture, and infrastructure, while also highlighting vulnerabilities in disaster preparedness and warning dissemination in rural areas. Local authorities and emergency services have been mobilized in several affected districts to address the immediate impact.

With more rainfall and thunderstorms predicted, residents in affected districts are advised to stay indoors during severe weather conditions and follow updates issued by local authorities and the IMD.

Source:Reported by Press Trust of India (PTI), The Indian Express, and India Today