Bihar lightning strike kills 4 in Nawada, 2 women critical
Synopsis
Four people — including a 12-year-old boy — were killed and two women critically injured when lightning struck a tree they had sheltered under during a sudden thunderstorm in Bihar's Nawada district. The IMD has issued fresh alerts for the region, and the district administration has promised ex-gratia relief, even as Bihar continues to face one of India's highest monsoon lightning tolls.
Key Takeaways
Four people killed and two women critically injured in a lightning strike at Sangovar village, Nawada, Bihar on 24 July .
Deceased identified as Shambhu Kumar (45) , Madan Rajvanshi (50) , Bhuvneshwar Rajvanshi (50) , and Sonu Kumar (12) .
Victims were sheltering under a tree in agricultural fields when lightning struck directly.
Injured women Sunita Devi and Shobhi Devi remain in serious condition at Nardiganj PHC .
Nawada district administration has promised ex-gratia compensation under disaster management norms.
IMD has issued a thunderstorm and lightning alert for Nawada and adjoining districts for the coming days.
A lightning strike on Friday, 24 July killed four people and left two women critically injured in Sangovar village under Nardiganj block of Nawada district, Bihar, according to officials. The victims had sought shelter beneath a large tree during a sudden thunderstorm while working in nearby fields — a decision that proved fatal when lightning struck the tree directly.
Who the Victims Are
The four deceased have been identified as Shambhu Kumar (45), son of the late Chandrika Yadav; Madan Rajvanshi (50), son of Muneshwar Rajvanshi; Bhuvneshwar Rajvanshi (50), son of Dukhan Rajvanshi; and Sonu Kumar (12), son of Mithilesh Prasad. All four were declared dead by doctors at the Nardiganj Primary Health Centre (PHC) after being brought in by fellow villagers.
The two injured women — Sunita Devi, wife of the late Govind Yadav, and Shobhi Devi, wife of Lalit Yadav — were admitted to the same facility and remain in serious condition, receiving ongoing medical care.
How the Incident Unfolded
The group was working in agricultural fields when the weather deteriorated rapidly. As rain intensified, they took cover under a large tree — among the most hazardous places to shelter during a thunderstorm, as authorities later noted. The lightning struck the tree directly, killing four on the spot and severely injuring the two women. Panicked residents rushed to the site and helped transport all six victims to the PHC.
Administration Response
The Nawada district administration confirmed the incident and expressed condolences to the bereaved families. Officials visited Sangovar village, inspected the site, and met with the victims' families. According to officials, financial assistance and ex-gratia compensation will be provided to the families of the deceased in line with disaster management norms. The administration also assured that full medical support would be extended to the two injured women.
In the wake of the tragedy, local administration and police issued a public advisory urging residents to avoid sheltering under trees or remaining in open fields during thunderstorms.
IMD Alert for Region
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a thunderstorm and lightning alert for Nawada and surrounding districts over the coming days. Authorities have advised people to stay indoors or move to designated safe shelters whenever severe weather develops. This incident is part of a recurring pattern — Bihar consistently records among the highest lightning fatalities in India during the monsoon season, with field workers and those sheltering under trees among the most vulnerable.
Point of View
And the pattern is strikingly consistent: field workers, caught in open terrain, seek shelter under trees and pay with their lives. The administration's ex-gratia promise is a standard response, but the deeper failure is one of public awareness infrastructure. Safety advisories issued after a fatality carry far less weight than sustained pre-monsoon outreach in vulnerable rural blocks. Until lightning-risk communication reaches agricultural communities before the storms arrive — not after — the death toll will keep repeating itself.
NationPress
25 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What happened in Nawada, Bihar on 24 July?
A lightning strike killed four people and critically injured two women in Sangovar village under Nardiganj block of Nawada district on 24 July. The victims had taken shelter under a large tree during a sudden thunderstorm while working in the fields.
Who were the victims of the Nawada lightning strike?
The four deceased are Shambhu Kumar (45), Madan Rajvanshi (50), Bhuvneshwar Rajvanshi (50), and Sonu Kumar (12). The two critically injured women are Sunita Devi and Shobhi Devi, both of whom remain under treatment at Nardiganj Primary Health Centre.
What relief has the government announced for the families?
The Nawada district administration has confirmed that ex-gratia compensation and financial assistance will be provided to the families of the deceased in accordance with disaster management norms. Officials visited the village and met the affected families.
Is there a weather alert for Nawada after the incident?
Yes. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a thunderstorm and lightning alert for Nawada and adjoining districts over the coming days. Residents have been advised to stay indoors and avoid open fields or trees during severe weather.
Why is sheltering under a tree during lightning dangerous?
Trees are among the most common objects struck by lightning because they are tall and conduct electricity. When lightning hits a tree, the current can travel through the ground or jump to anyone sheltering beneath it. Authorities in Nawada specifically cited trees as high-risk locations in their post-incident advisory.
