KKN Gurugram Desk | A severe thunderstorm followed by high-speed winds and heavy rain caused large-scale devastation in Siwan district of Bihar on Monday afternoon. The storm led to the deaths of at least 8 people, injuries to several others, and widespread infrastructural damage including the uprooting of over 200 trees and the collapse of more than 100 electric poles.

The most affected areas include Maharajganj, Barharia, Tarwara, Lakri Nabiganj, Basantpur, Goriakothi, and Bhagwanpur Haat blocks. Power supply has been completely disrupted in dozens of villages, and road access was blocked for hours due to fallen trees and electricity poles.

Key Highlights of the Siwan Storm Tragedy

• Fatalities: 8 confirmed dead due to tree falls and accidents

• Injured: Over a dozen injured in separate incidents

• Power Infrastructure Damage: 100+ electric poles downed

• Trees Uprooted: More than 200

• Transport Blockade: Major roads blocked for up to 3 hours

• Electricity Disruption: Total blackout in multiple blocks

• Areas Affected: Maharajganj, Barharia, Tarwara, Lakri Nabiganj, Basantpur, Goriakothi, Bhagwanpur Haat

Fatal Incidents Across Siwan: Who Were the Victims?

❗ List of Fatalities:

1. Chandrawati Devi (60) – Madhopur, Lakri Nabiganj: Crushed under a fallen tree.

2. Asiq Ali (25) – Badkagaon (Pawariya Tola), Bhagwanpur Haat: Died in a tree collapse.

3. Kalpati Devi – Lakhnaura, Nabiganj: Died under a falling branch.

4. Nandkishore Singh (55) – Basantpur: Fatally injured by falling tree.

5. Shriram Kushwaha – Satwar Dhobwaliya Tola, Tarwara: Died when a tree collapsed near his hut.

6. Shahid (30) – Bahadurpur, Jamo: Fell from a roof due to strong winds.

7. Rahul Mahto – Musehri village: Died in a bike collision with a tree fallen on the main Barharia-Mirganj road.

8. Shriram Sah – Tarwara: Killed when a mango tree fell on his hut during a nap.

 Additional Injuries and Incidents

• Two youth injured in the same bike accident that killed Rahul Mahto.

• 5–6 individuals from Sikandar Pur (Tarwara) were injured after a wall collapsed during the storm. They are currently being treated at a private hospital.

• Fallen trees blocked Faruddinpur–Jagdishpur main road in Chorwan Pakdi for nearly 3 hours, cutting off transport.

Nature of the Storm: Sudden and Violent

Eyewitnesses described the storm as sudden and violent, starting just after 3:00 PM. High-speed winds lashed the district, tearing off rooftops, uprooting trees, and breaking power lines.

Meteorological Overview:

• Type: Localized thunderstorm with high-velocity winds

• Wind Speed: Estimated 70–90 km/h

• Duration: ~45 minutes of peak intensity

• Rainfall: Moderate to heavy

 Infrastructure Collapse: Power Poles and Trees Uprooted

According to local officials, the storm led to:

• 100+ electricity poles down – causing complete blackout in over 40 villages.

• More than 200 trees – including large mango, neem, and banyan trees – were uprooted.

• Power restoration may take 2–3 days due to the magnitude of damage.

Residents in Barharia, Goriakothi, and Lakri Nabiganj blocks reported that all household electric appliances stopped functioning by late afternoon, and authorities have deployed teams for emergency restoration work.

 Transportation Disrupted Across Rural Routes

The storm rendered several roads unusable for hours due to fallen trees and electric poles:

• Barharia–Mirganj main road blocked by a massive banyan tree.

• Jagdishpur–Faruddinpur road remained blocked for more than 3 hours.

• In some places, villagers took it upon themselves to cut fallen trees using axes and saws to restore minimal mobility.

 Structural Damage and Local Economy

Apart from fatalities and power cuts, the storm caused moderate to severe damage to homes and shops:

• Several kuccha houses and tin-roofed structures were flattened.

• Dozens of small shops lost inventory due to collapsed walls or water damage.

• Farmers reported damage to standing crops and stored grain due to water seepage.

Farmers in Basantpur and Tarwara blocks expressed concern about post-harvest grain loss, especially stored wheat and maize.

Emergency Services and Local Administration’s Response

The Siwan district administration launched an emergency response with support from:

• Disaster Management Teams (SDRF)

• Local police and fire brigade

• Health department deploying mobile medical units

District Magistrate’s Office confirmed compensation to be offered under State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF) norms for deceased and injured.

Assistance Declared (Preliminary):

• ₹4 lakh compensation for each deceased person’s family

• Free treatment for the injured

• Temporary shelters and food supplies in highly affected blocks

 Recurring Weather Extremes: A Rising Trend in Bihar

Siwan’s storm is the latest in a series of extreme weather events that have battered Bihar in recent years:

• May 2023: Gopalganj saw 9 deaths in a lightning incident.

• August 2024: Patna suffered flooding from record rainfall.

• April 2025: Thunderstorm damaged over 1,500 homes in Muzaffarpur.

Meteorologists warn that climate change may be contributing to more frequent and severe storms in the Gangetic plains.

 What Can Residents Do? Safety and Precautions

Authorities advise the following during future storms:

1. Avoid staying under trees or electric poles during a storm.

2. Turn off electrical appliances to avoid surge damage.

3. Reinforce tin roofs and mud walls in vulnerable areas.

4. Keep emergency kits ready with torch, batteries, and basic meds.

5. Report fallen trees, poles, or blocked roads to local disaster cells.

 Appeal to Government for Long-Term Measures

Residents and local leaders have urged the state government to:

• Strengthen early warning systems at village levels.

• Upgrade electric infrastructure with storm-resilient poles.

• Provide subsidies for crop insurance and house repairs.

• Introduce climate adaptation training in rural schools and panchayats.

The devastating storm in Siwan has once again exposed the fragile rural infrastructure and vulnerability of agrarian communities to natural calamities. With 8 dead, many injured, and entire villages in darkness, the immediate focus is on rescue, rehabilitation, and restoration.

Long-term climate preparedness and infrastructural upgrades remain the need of the hour.