At least four people died and four others were injured after lightning strikes hit multiple districts of Bihar on Wednesday, 16 September, with fatalities confirmed in Siwan, Gaya, and Purnea as severe thunderstorms swept through the state.

Siwan: Grandfather and Grandson Killed While Grazing Cattle

In Darveshpur village under Hussainganj police station in Siwan, a grandfather-grandson pair were struck by lightning while tending to cattle in a field. Bandhu Chaudhary, 54, and his 19-year-old grandson Prince Kumar — both residents of Darveshpur — died from their injuries, while a third person accompanying them sustained injuries and survived.

According to an official, the group had ventured outside the village to graze cattle when the weather suddenly deteriorated and rain began. They reportedly moved toward a nearby tree for shelter, a common and dangerous instinct during lightning events, when the strike occurred. The survivors alerted villagers, who rushed the injured and deceased to Siwan Sadar Hospital, where doctors declared both men dead.

Police Station In-charge Shailendra Singh confirmed that authorities took custody of both bodies, completed inquest formalities, and handed them over to the family following post-mortem. 'Information about the incident was received through the hospital. The police took both bodies into custody, completed the inquest formalities, and handed the bodies over to the relatives following the post-mortem,' Singh said. The double bereavement has left Darveshpur village in mourning.

Gaya: Widow Struck Dead Returning from Field

In Tola Ukhad Badhai Bigha village under Wazirganj block in Gaya district, a 45-year-old woman, Sangeeta Devi, was killed by a lightning strike on Wednesday evening. She had gone to graze goats in fields near a forested area and was struck while returning home as the weather turned.

According to locals, she collapsed shortly before reaching the village and died at the spot. Her relatives brought her body to Wazirganj Community Health Centre, where doctor Nandlal Prasad confirmed her death on arrival. 'The woman likely died at the scene of the incident. After completing the necessary paperwork at the hospital, arrangements have been made to send the body to Anugrah Narayan Magadh Medical College Hospital in Gaya for a post-mortem,' Prasad said.

Sangeeta Devi's husband, Sunil Yadav, had died previously, leaving her to support the family as a daily-wage labourer. She is survived by two daughters, one of whom is married. Her father, Mithilesh Yadav, confirmed the details. Villagers have urged the district administration to extend compensation to the bereaved family under applicable disaster-relief provisions.

Purnea: Woman Dead, Four Injured in Family Group

In Mahinwa Pansoi village under Nagar police station in Purnea district, one woman died and four others were injured when lightning struck a group that included three women from the same family. The deceased, Pachniya Devi, wife of Hariur Rishidev and a resident of Chhotki Sahara, died in the incident. Her daughter, Rekha, was among those injured. The injured are receiving treatment at Government Medical College and Hospital, Purnea.

Wider Context and Precautionary Advisories

The 16 September deaths come amid a persistent pattern of lightning fatalities in Bihar during the monsoon season, when thunderstorm activity intensifies across the Gangetic plains. Authorities have reiterated that residents should avoid open fields, isolated trees, and elevated ground during thunderstorms — precisely the conditions that proved fatal across all three incidents on Wednesday.

The recurrence of such tragedies reflects the vulnerability of rural communities engaged in agriculture and livestock work, who often have limited access to early-warning systems or weather alerts. As Bihar's monsoon season continues, all three districts remain on watch for further adverse weather.