Death toll due to lightning strikes goes up to 13 in Maharashtra

At least 13 persons were killed in lightning-related incidents in Maharashtra during the past 48 hours as unseasonal rains and thunderstorms lashed various parts of the state, officials said.

Seven persons were killed in Akola’s Parasgaon village late on Sunday where a bolt of lightning brought down a 150-year-old neem tree which crushed a tin shed at the Babuji Maharaj Sansthan ashram in which close to 50 devotees had assembled for prayers.

While most of the devotees were rescued, four bodies were recovered on Monday while three died later during treatment in hospital. Another 10 were rushed to nearby hospitals for treatment.

Besides, Aurangabad, Beed, Hingoli, Nandurbar, Parbhani and Pune have reported one death each due to lightning strikes mainly on farmers working in the fields.

Meanwhile, one person drowned in flash floods triggered by torrential rain that lashed Nashik on Sunday, officials said.

There has also been a loss of cattle due to lightning strikes and widespread damage to standing crops due to the unseasonal rains.