Monsoon Fury Kills 25 Across India As Lightning Strikes Devastate Multiple States News24 –
A complex and catastrophic chain of heavy rains with severe lightning and thunderstorms connected to early monsoon activity has left at least 25 dead across multiple states in India, predominantly due to lightning strikes. In the last 24 hours alone, reports have emerged from the states of Uttar Pradesh, Gujarat, Delhi, Maharashtra and Himachal Pradesh.
Lethal Lightning Hits Uttar Pradesh
In Uttar Pradesh, the state has urged residents to take care, as lightning has killed many people across the militantly struck state. In Ballia district, for instance, a girl aged just 13 died after lightning struck her. Two others were injured and are receiving treatment at the district hospital.
In Bijnor, three people died: two of them were killed by lightning and one young girl drowned in a flooded drain while she was bathing in rainwater. The girl drowned in Raghgan (under Kiratpur police station) and she is still missing while the drama unfolds in the local drowning search.
In the Bara area of Yamunanagar, a family of four in Sonbarsa village was tragically killed after lightning struck them around midnight. Moreover, in the Auraiya district, three people, including a 16-year-old, were killed by lightning, with two more injured and hospitalized.
In Sambhal, lightning struck six people while they were harvesting crops in Maulanpur Danda in the Rajpura police station area. One teenage girl died, and the others suffered serious burn injuries and were referred to a hospital in Aligarh.
In response to the deaths due to lightning and floods, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath expressed his deep sorrow and directed district officials to provide necessary medical treatment for injured persons; and compensation for the affected families.
Gujarat Has Sudden Downpour And Casualties Due To Lightning
In Rajkot, Gujarat, heavy thunder and lightning with continuous rain resulted in one casualty and 14 goats were killed by electrocution in the village of Veerdavajdi. The strong cloudburst around 6.30 PM created panic and waterlogged the whole city.
In Panchmahal district, lightning caused a fire in a residential home in Dabhan Falia, but that incident did not cause any casualties.
Severe Weather In Delhi Results In Electrocutions And Collapse Of Tower
In Delhi, rain and wind caused a mobile tower 100-foot in height to tumble down in the Safdarjung Enclave area. Luckily, no injuries were reported. However, in RK Puram, a falling tree brought down a power line resulting in the electrocution and death of two men, Ravinder and Bharat, aged 30 and 25 respectively. Both men were from Bihar and were employed at a local roadside eatery.
Prolonged Rain And Lightning In Maharashtra
Maharashtra also witnessed catastrophic impacts, with at least eight fatalities mostly due to lightning. Ratnagiri, Raigad, and Sindhudurg are the worst affected areas where a red alert has been issued. According to the state disaster management report, Ratnagiri recorded 88.1 millimeters of rain, the maximum received in the state in 24 hours.
Thunderstorm Alert And Lightning In Maharashtra
The IMD has issued a yellow alert for thunderstorms, lightning, and wind speeds of 40-60 km/h across certain areas in Himachal Pradesh, including Chamba, Kangra, Kullu, Mandi, Shimla, Solan, and Sirmaur districts from Sunday until Wednesday.