On Sunday, 18 people were killed in separate lightening strikes in Rajasthan’s Jaipur, Kota, Jhalawar, and Dholpur districts, including seven children.
In other villages across the state, twenty-one individuals, including six children, were also injured in lightning strikes stated the officials.
Eleven people, mostly teenagers, were killed and eight others were injured when lightning struck them on a hill near the Amber Fort in Jaipur.
While some were on the hill, others were taking selfies on a watchtower.
They said those in the watchtower died when lightning struck late at night. “Eleven persons have died and eight are injured, Jaipur Police Commissioner Anand Srivastava said. He added that a rescue operation is on to look for other injured people.
Radhe Banjara nickname Bawla (12), Pukhraj Banjara (16), Vikram (16), and his brother Akhraj (13) died on the spot after lightning struck a tree. They were standing for shelter under the same tree which took all their lives. According to Station House Officer Mukesh Tyagi, about ten goats and a cow were also killed in the tragedy.
A 23-year-old shepherd named Tara Singh Bheel died on the spot after a bolt of lightning struck him in Jhalawar’s Lalgaon village. According to local police, two buffaloes were also killed in the incident.
Two girls were injured in Chachana village, under the jurisdiction of Sunel police station.
Three youngsters, named Lavkush (15), Vipin (10), and Bholu (8), were killed after lightning struck them in Dholpur district’s Kudinna village in the Badi area.
“PM Narendra Modi has announced an ex-gratia of Rs. 2 lakh each from PMNRF to the next of kin of those who lost their lives due to lightning in parts of Rajasthan. Rs. 50,000 would be provided to the injured” tweeted the Prime Minister’s Office.
The loss of lives due to lightning strikes in Kota, Dholpur, Jhalawar, Jaipur, and Baran today is very sad and unfortunate, Gehlot tweeted.
Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot and Governor Kalraj Mishra expressed their sorrow over the deaths in the disasters.
When the Prime Minister heard of the incidents, he expressed his sorrow and asked the district administrations to pay suitable compensation to the victim’s families. He stated that officials had been given orders to provide prompt help to the victims’ families.
Authorities urged people to be careful during the rainy season.
