<div><span style="font-size: 1rem;">At least 23 people were killed in lightning strikes during monsoon storms in eastern India, officials said Saturday.</span><br></div><div><br></div><div>The deaths in Bihar state occurred during fierce weather between Wednesday and Friday, with the victims largely being farmers and labourers.</div><div><br></div><div>Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar expressed his condolences over the deaths and pledged compensation for the families of victims.</div><div><br></div><div>Eleven people were killed across several parts of the state on Friday in addition to the 13 who died over the preceding two days, according to a toll published by Bihar's disaster management authority.</div><div><br></div><div>More heavy rains and lightning are forecast for parts of the state on Monday.</div><div><br></div><div>Lightning strikes are common in India during the June-September monsoon, which is crucial to replenishing regional water supplies but also responsible for widespread deaths and destruction each year.</div><div><br></div><div>Nearly 2,900 people were killed by lightning in India in 2019, according to the National Crime Records Bureau. - AFP&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>