Lightning kills farmer, injures eight labourers in Chandrapur district

Two separate lightning strikes during sudden heavy rain in Chandrapur district on Thursday, September 17, killed a farmer and injured eight labourers, leaving villagers in the area frightened.

The first incident occurred in Chekthanewasna village in Pombhurna taluka. Farmer Keshav Donu Gudi, 55, and his wife Vaishali Keshav Gudi, 45, were returning home around 4 pm after a day's work in the fields, as they did every day. Near Rishi Alam's field, lightning struck them amid a loud clap of thunder. Keshav Gudi died on the spot, while Vaishali Gudi was seriously injured.

Villagers rushed to the spot on hearing of the incident and got the injured Vaishali admitted to the rural hospital in Pombhurna. Due to the severity of her condition, she was later shifted to Chandrapur district general hospital for further treatment after initial treatment. The incident has cast a pall of grief over Chekthanewasna village.

The second incident took place around 2 pm in the fields of Bardkinhi in Brahmapuri taluka. Labourers were transplanting chilli saplings in Maruti Thakre's field when clouds suddenly gathered, rain began, and lightning struck the field.

Eight people were injured in this incident: Manisha Gokuldas Thakre, 22, Janabai Maruti Talmale, 65, Ramhari Maruti Talmale, 45, Manisha Ramhari Talmale, 40, Shubhangi Subhash Talmale, 35, Subhash Maruti Talmale, 40, Megha Rakesh Shende, 22, and Kavita Kamlakar Pakde, 45.

Villagers immediately got all the injured admitted to the sub-district hospital in Armori, Gadchiroli district. Seven of them are being treated at Armori, while Manisha Gokuldas Thakre, the most seriously injured, was shifted to a private hospital in Brahmapuri for further treatment.

The two lightning strikes in two talukas on the same day have left villages and farmers across the district on edge.