One killed, 16 injured as lightning strikes near Victoria Memorial

At least 1 person was dead, while 16 others were injured in lightning strike in Kolkata on Friday. The incident was reported near the iconic Victoria Memorial. Those injured were immediately shifted to nearby SSKM hospital.

Kolkata(West Bengal): At least one person was killed while sixteen others were injured on Friday after lightning struck them amid heavy rain in front of historic Victoria Memorial.

The lightning struck in front of the south gate of the landmark structure around 3.30 pm.

The deceased, identified as Subir Pal from North 24 Parganas district's Dumdum, was among a group of people who took shelter under a big tree near the Victoria Memorial to shield themselves from the incessant downpour.

"A person was killed after being hit by a lightning strike near gate number three (of Victoria Memorial) around 3.30 pm. Many sustained injuries in the incident," a CISF personnel, deployed to guard the monument, said.

"We brought 16 injured people to the SSKM Hospital. Some of them were critically injured. However, a few have been released after being given first aid," he said.

Heavy rainfall, triggered by a cyclonic circulation over Bangladesh, lashed Kolkata and the districts of Gangetic West Bengal. In Kolkata, many key roads were waterlogged following the rain and the traffic was thrown completely out of gear.

According to the Met Office, places including Mominpur, Behala, Ballygunj, Kalighat in south Kolkata received more than 50 cm rainfall till 4 p.m.City Mayor Firhad Hakim has condoled the person's death.

"The amount of rainfall in the city has been way more than the capacity of the pumps we have. Hence some places have become waterlogged. Our workers are doing everything in their capacity to keep the situation under control," Hakim said.