<p>The toll in lightning strikes during Thursday's thunderstorms in five districts of West Bengal rose to 18, an official said.</p>.<p>Lightning strikes claimed lives of five people in Murshidabad, four in Purba Bardhaman and three each in North 24 Parganas, Paschim Medinipur and Howrah districts, a disaster management department official said here on Friday.</p>.<p><strong>Also Read | <a href="https://www.deccanherald.com/science-and-environment/lightning-strike-leads-to-discovery-of-new-phosphorus-material-1208939.html" target="_blank">Lightning strike leads to discovery of new phosphorus material</a></strong></p>.<p>Most of the victims were farmers who were struck by lightning on Thursday while working in agricultural fields, he said.</p>.<p>Thunderstorms with lightning occurred in several south Bengal districts, including Kolkata, Howrah, North 24 Parganas, Purba Bardhaman and Murshidabad. </p>
<p>The toll in lightning strikes during Thursday's thunderstorms in five districts of West Bengal rose to 18, an official said.</p>.<p>Lightning strikes claimed lives of five people in Murshidabad, four in Purba Bardhaman and three each in North 24 Parganas, Paschim Medinipur and Howrah districts, a disaster management department official said here on Friday.</p>.<p><strong>Also Read | <a href="https://www.deccanherald.com/science-and-environment/lightning-strike-leads-to-discovery-of-new-phosphorus-material-1208939.html" target="_blank">Lightning strike leads to discovery of new phosphorus material</a></strong></p>.<p>Most of the victims were farmers who were struck by lightning on Thursday while working in agricultural fields, he said.</p>.<p>Thunderstorms with lightning occurred in several south Bengal districts, including Kolkata, Howrah, North 24 Parganas, Purba Bardhaman and Murshidabad. </p>