At least 60 people were killed across Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan after being struck by lightning, thunder and rain.
At least 38 people were killed in eleven districts of Uttar Pradesh, after being struck by lightning, thunder and rain. Similarly, Eighteen people, including seven children, were killed in separate incidents of lightning in Rajasthan's Jaipur, Kota, Jhalawar and Dholpur districts on Sunday.
According to reports, the deaths in UP occured on Sunday evening. Fourteen people died in Prayagraj, five in Kanpur Dehat, three each in Firozabad and Kaushambhi and two each in Unnao and Chitrakoot after lightning struck them. 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.
Twenty-one people, including six children, were injured in lightning incidents in separate villages in Rajasthan. Meanwhile, PM Modi expressed grief over the deaths of people due to lightning in the state. Taking to Twitter, PM Modi wrote in Hindi, which loosely translated to English reads, "Many people have lost their lives due to lightning in some areas of Rajasthan. This is very saddening. I express my deepest condolences to the families of the deceased."
Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot also expressed grief over the loss of lives in the tragedies. Gehlot also announced a compensation of Rs 5 lakh each for the family members of those who died in lightning strikes. Out of this, Rs 4 lakh will be given from the emergency relief fund and 1 lakh from the Chief Minister Relief Fund (CMRF).
“The loss of lives due to lightning strikes in Kota, Dholpur, Jhalawar, Jaipur and Baran today is very sad and unfortunate,” Gehlot tweeted.
The injured children -- Rahul, Vikram, Rakesh and Man Singh and a 40-year-old-woman, identified as Phulibai, are under treatment at a hospital and their condition has been stated to be out of danger, the SHO said.
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.
In case of Uttar Pradesh, deaths were also reported from Kanpur, Pratapgarh, Agra, Varanasi and Rae Bareli. In Kaushambhi, the deceased have been identified as Rukma,12, Moorat Dhwaj, 50, Ramchandra, 32, and Mayank Singh,15. In Firozabad, Hemraj, 50, and Ram Sevak, 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. Similar incidents have been reported from Ghazipur and Ballia.
