In Bihar, causalities have gone up to 16 in the hailstorm which lashed last night in the northern parts of the state. Over two dozen people were injured in this incident. Maximum numbers of deaths were reported from Kishanganj, Supaul and Purnea districts. AIR Patna correspondent reports that the hailstorm lasted for half an hour and damaged a number of houses as well as the standing crops in the area. In many parts of the state mild to heavy rainfall was also recorded. Agriculture scientists said that this rain will be beneficial to the standing Rabi crops.