Lightning claims 17 lives in M'wada, several cattle killed

Aurangabad, Maharashtra, June 18 (UNI) At least 17 people and several head of cattle in seven districts of Marathwada region were killed due to lightning, as heavy rains accompanied by thundershowers lashed the region during the last 48 hours.

Deputy Divisional Commissioner Dileep Shinde told UNI that as per the official information reaching the divisional headquarters here today, the lightning claimed about 13 lives in a single day on June 17 while four on June 16.

Latur district was one of the worst affected by the natural calamity, where lightning claimed seven lives in a single day yesterday, Mr Shinde said.

Of the 17 deaths, Parbhani recorded two followed by Jalna (two deaths), Aurangabad (two), Osmanabad (one), Beed (one) and Nanded (Two).

The reports reaching here stated that several head of cattle were also killed due to the lightning in various parts of Marathwada.

An official report in detail is expected by tomorrow noon, the sources added.

The kins of the victims of the natural calamity would be given compensation as per the government rules, Mr Shinde told UNI.

Meanwhile, sowing operations have picked up in the Marathwada region after the arrival of monsoon in almost of all the eight districts, the sources said.

The Marathwada division has recorded an average 87 mm rainfall so far.

As per the rainfall figures of last 24 hours, available here, Latur has recorded an highest rainfall of 24 mm followed by Aurangabad (15.6 mm), Parbhani (8.2 mm), Jalna (7.5 mm), Osmanabad (6.7 mm) Beed (6.5 mm), Hingoli ( 4.2 mm) and Nanded 4 mm.

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