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Lightning Strikes Kill 66 in India


FILE - Lightning illuminates the night sky during a storm over Guwahati, India.
FILE - Lightning illuminates the night sky during a storm over Guwahati, India.

At least 66 people were killed by lightning in India in a 24 hour period Tuesday and Wednesday.

Forty-six deaths were 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% of its annual rainfall during the monsoon season, generally between June and September.

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