Lightning strikes 66 dead in India

At least 66 people were killed by lightning in India within 24 hours on Tuesday and Wednesday.

Forty-six deaths were recorded in the northern state of Bihar, where 22 more were left injured. Twenty more were killed in the neighboring state of Uttar Pradesh.

The disaster management secretary of Bihar, Viyas Ji, said the state will provide $5,900 to the families of those who lost their lives in the storm.

Authorities say the death tolls are likely to rise as reports continue to come in from rural areas.

Farmers are most often the victims of lightning strikes in India, which are common in the monsoon season.

India receives 80 percent of its annual rainfall during the monsoon season, generally between June and September.

VOA