The government provided financial assistance worth Tk 10.70 lakh to the families of 81 victims who died by lightning strikes during recent storms in 26 districts.

Disaster Management and Relief Minister Mofazzal Hossain Chowdhury Maya said this at a press briefing yesterday.

During the press briefing, Md Shah Kamal, secretary of the ministry, said the government declared lightning as a disaster on August 27 last year.

Of the 81 victims, at least 32 people were killed and six others injured on May 12 after being struck by lightning in the capital and nine districts across the country.