At least 147 people have been killed by lightning in the past ten days in Bihar state in eastern India, authorities said on Sunday, warning of future extreme weather conditions due to climate change.
The death toll stands at 215 people - farmers, rural workers and cattle breeders - since late March in the poorest state in the country, according to authorities.
"Rising temperatures due to climate change" at issue
"I have been informed by meteorologists, scientists and officials that rising temperatures due to climate change are the main cause of the lightning strike," said Bihar State Minister for Emergency Situations Lakshmeshwar Rai. Some 25 people died on Saturday, he added.
Deadly lightning strikes are quite common in India during the monsoon, which lasts from June to September. But authorities said that since January, the death toll in Bihar state has already exceeded the annual toll of previous years, even though the monsoon season has just started.
Agrometeorology specialist Abdus Satar explained that lightning and thunder were caused by large-scale instability, fueled by rising temperatures and excessively high humidity.
More than 2,300 people were killed by lightning in India in 2018, according to official statistics.
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- India
- Climate change
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