Families of those killed in lightening at different parts of West Bengal are announced to be given ₹2 lakh ex-gratia from the Prime Minister’s National Relief Fund (PMNRF) by the Centre on Monday.
Around three people who were struck by lightening in the Murshidabad district were admitted to Jangipur hospital. The areas affected by lightening strikes included Purba Medinipur district, Hoogly and Murshidabad according to West Bengal disaster management authority. As per an official of the mentioned authority, the lightening strikes claimed the lives of two in the Purba Medinipur district while nine people fell to the kin each in Hooghly and Murshidabad.
The Union home minister, Amit Shah, expressed his condolences over the incident stating that it was deeply saddening and he prays for the speedy recovery of those who are injured in one of his tweets.
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.
— Amit Shah (@AmitShah) June 7, 2021
On Monday evening, Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his thoughts for those killed by lightening in a tweet.
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.
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) June 7, 2021
While the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) tweeted about the approval given by the Prime Minister for ex gratia of ₹2 lakh to be given to the families of the deceased with ₹50,000 for the injured from Prime Minister National Relief Fund PMNRF.
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.
— PMO India (@PMOIndia) June 7, 2021
Thunderstorms accompanied by lightening occurred along with gusty winds in several districts of the state as per the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD). On Monday, a squall was seen passing over the Alipore observatory in the city at 4.25pm from the northwesterly direction with the highest speed of around 59 km/h which lasted for around two minutes.