At least 20 persons were killed in lightning strikes in three districts of south Bengal on Monday.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi condoled the deaths and approved an ex-gratia of ₹ 2 lakh each for the next of kin of those killed and ₹ 50,000 for the injured.
Nine people died each in Murshidabad and Hooghly districts and two their lives in the Purba Medinipur district, the official said.
Three more persons were injured in lightning strikes in the Murshidabad district and were admitted to the Jangipur hospital, he said.
In a tweet, PM Modi said, "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."
The Prime Minister's Office said in a tweet, "PM @narendramodi has approved an ex-gratia of ₹ 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. ₹ 50,000 would be given to the injured."
Thunderstorms with lightning and gusty wind occurred in several districts of south Bengal in the evening after a sweltering day, the Met department said.
Purba Medinipur, South 24 Parganas, Kolkata, Hooghly, Howrah, Murshidabad, Purulia, Bankura and Nadia experienced thunderstorms as pre-monsoon showers occurred in several places of these districts.