Jaipur (Rajasthan): A total of 61 people were killed after being struck by lightning in Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh on Sunday. Many people were also reported to be injured in lightning strikes. According to information available, 41 people died due to lightning strikes in Uttar Pradesh and 20 others were killed in Rajasthan.
41 killed by lightning in Uttar Pradesh
As many as 41 people died due to lightning in Uttar Pradesh's Kaushambi, Fatehpur and Firozabad districts on Sunday. Taking cognizance of the incidents, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath expressed his grief and directed the district administrations to provide adequate compensation to the tragedy struck families.
In Kaushambi, the deceased have been identified as Rukma (12), Moorat Dhwaj (50) Ramchandra (32) and Mayank Singh (15). Rukma of Murhia Doli village and Mayank Singh were sowing paddy, Ramchandra was cutting grass and Dhwaj of Sarai Akeel police station area had taken shelter under a tree to avoid rain when they were struck by lightning. In Fatehpur, the deceased have been identified as Sonia (54) and Mathura (37) of Asothar police station area, and Shivkali (60) of Bakevar police area. In Firozabad, Hemraj (50) and Ramsevak (40) were standing under a Neem tree, when they were hit by lightning killing them on the spot. Amar Singh (60) of Shikohabad area was also killed by lightning.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Modi expressed his deepest condolences over the deaths and announced ex-gratia of Rs 2 lakh each to their kins of the dead and 50, 000 for injured people. Taking to Twitter, PMO said, "The Prime Minister was briefed about the loss of lives and damages due to lightning in parts of Uttar Pradesh. An ex-gratia of Rs. 2 lakh each from PMNRF would be given to the next of kin of the deceased and Rs. 50,000 would be given to the injured."
20 killed in lightning strikes in Rajasthan
At least twenty people including eight children were killed in separate incidents of lightning in Rajasthan's Jaipur, Dholpur, Kota, Chaksu and Jhalawar on Sunday. Among the deceased children, four were from Kota's Garda village, three from Dholpur and one from Chaksu's Bagaria. 11 people, mostly youths, were killed and many others injured when lightning struck them while they were taking selfies on a hill near the Amber Fort in Jaipur. Rescue operation is on to look for other injured people.
READ: Rajasthan: Youth tied to a tree, beaten over alleged cattle lifting
In Kota's Garda village that falls under the Kanwas police station, Radhe Banjara alias Bawla (12), Pukhraj Banjara (16), Vikram (16) and his brother Akhraj (13) died on the spot after lightning struck a tree under which they were taking shelter with their cattle, Station House Officer Mukesh Tyagi said, adding that about 10 goats and a cow were also killed in the incident. The injured children, Rahul, Vikram, Rakesh and Man Singh and a 40-year-old-woman, identified as Phulibai, are undergoing treatment at a hospital and their condition has been stated to be out of danger, the SHO said.
In Dholpur district's Kudinna village in the Badi area, three children, identified as Lavkush (15), Vipin (10) and Bholu (8), were killed after lightning struck them. In a similar incident in Jhalawar's Lalgaon village that falls under the Sunel police station, a 23-year-old shepherd, identified as Tara Singh Bheel, was killed on the spot after a bolt of lightning struck him. Two buffaloes were also killed in the incident, police said.
READ: 5 of labour family crushed by speeding dumper in Rajasthan, deceased include 3 children
Meanwhile, Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot expressed deepest condolences to the families of those who lost their lives and announced ex gratia of Rs 5 lakh each to their kins. Taking to Twitter, he wrote, "The loss of lives due to lightning in Kota, Dholpur, Jhalawar, Jaipur, and Baran today is very sad and unfortunate. My deepest condolences to the families of the affected, may God give them strength. Instructions have been given to the officials to provide immediate assistance to the families of the victims."
Prime Minister Narendra Modi also expressed his deepest condolences over the deaths. "Many people have lost their lives due to lightning in some areas of Rajasthan. Deeply saddened by the demise of people. I express my deepest condolences to the families of the deceased: PM @narendramodi," Prime Minister's Office (PMO) said in a tweet.
