At least 20 people died due to lightning strikes over 24 hours in eight districts of Bihar, according to an official statement.

Seven deaths were reported from Kaimur district about 150 km from the state capital, while Patna and Bhojpur reported four deaths each. Jehanabad, Arwal, Rohtas, Aurangabad and Siwan reported one death each.

The total number of deaths due to lightning strikes this year has gone up to a staggering 121 this year so far.

The Chief Minister announced an ex-gratia of Rs 4 lakh for the next of kin of the deceased and appealed to people not to venture out and stay at home during thunderstorms, according to an official press release.

The weather office has also issued a warning for thunderstorms and lightning in all districts of north Bihar for Wednesday and Thursday.

Bihar has been recording among the highest number of deaths in the country due to lightning strikes. According to India's second annual Lightning Report, Bihar has reported the most deaths due to lightning between April 1, 2020- March 31, 2021 (401 deaths), followed by Uttar Pradesh ( 238 deaths), Madhya Pradesh (228), Odisha (156), and Jharkhand (132), respectively.

Other states reported less than 100 deaths in the same period, according to the report.