Lightning claims 23 lives in three Indian states

Jun 29, 2009, 11:18 GMT

   New Delhi - At least 23 people, including eight children, were killed when they were struck by lightning during rains across three Indian states, officials and news reports said Monday.

   The deaths were reported since Sunday from the eastern states of Bihar and Orissa and the northern state of Uttar Pradesh. The rains, accompanied by strong winds, uprooted trees and electrical poles and damaged thatched huts in villages.

   'We are getting reports that 18 people died overnight in various parts of the state after being struck by bolts of lightning during pre-monsoon showers,' Bihar Disaster Management Minister Devesh Thakur said by phone from the state capital, Patna.

   Most of the victims were either farmers or the homeless who were outdoors, Thakur said. Five children playing in the rains were also killed.

   Five more deaths were reported from Bihar's neighbouring states of Orissa and Uttar Pradesh, the PTI news agency reported.

   Three children were killed when lightning struck at a village in Orissa's Rourkela district. The children were watching television when lightning struck their house, the report said.

   India's monsoons have already arrived in the country's south and some eastern states like Orissa.

   Meterological experts said northern India, which was experiencing a heat wave with most cities recording temperatures over 40 degrees, was likely to get some relief as monsoon rains were likely to hit the region by July 1.

   India's monsoon season usually lasts from June to October.