On Monday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his sorrow over the deaths of at least 20 people in three districts of Bengal as a result of lightning strikes and authorized an ex-gratia of Rs 2 lakh each from the PMNRF for the next of kin of those deceased and Rs 50,000 for those injured.
“My thoughts are with all those who lost their near and dear ones due to lightning in parts of West Bengal. May the injured recover at the earliest, Modi tweeted.
PM @narendramodi has approved an ex-gratia of Rs 2 lakh each from the PMNRF for the next of kin of those who have lost their lives due to lightning in various parts of West Bengal. Rs 50,000 would be given to the injured,” the PMO tweeted.
Meanwhile, Union Home Minister Amit Shah also expressed condolence and prayed for the speedy recovery of those injured. “The loss of lives due to lightning in different parts of West Bengal is deeply saddening. My sincerest condolences to the families of those who have lost their loved ones. Praying for the speedy recovery of those injured,” he tweeted.
According to a state disaster management official, nine people died in Murshidabad, nine people died in Hooghly, and two people died in Purba Medinipur district.
Three additional people were hurt by lightning strikes in the Murshidabad area, according to him, and were sent to the Jangipur hospital for treatment. South Bengal regions, including Kolkata, have been hit by severe thundershowers since the afternoon, which the weather office described as pre-monsoon rains.
