As many as 77 people have died in lightning strikes in Bihar and Uttar Pradesh since Monday. Bihar's toll touched 57 on Wednesday, ANI reported, while in Uttar Pradesh, at least 20 people were killed in lightning strikes and wall collapses.

The districts worst hit were Nalanda, Aurangabad, Rohtas and Purnea. Bihar disaster management minister Chandrashekhar told ANI the actual toll could be higher. The Bihar government has announced compensation of Rs 4 lakh for the families of the victims, Disaster Management Secretary Vyas Ji said. The state has also issued an advisory to people asking them to stay away from open fields during storms.

More than 2,500 people in India died because of lightning in 2014, according to National Crime Records Bureau figures quoted by Hindustan Times.