Eight rain-related deaths in M'wada

Aurangabad, June 1 (UNI) At least eight people including two minors were killed and three others injured as pre-monsoon showers, accompanied by thunderstorm and lightning, lashed Marathwada region.

Deputy Revenue Commissioner Dilip Shinde told UNI here today that seven people died when lightning struck them while a person died in a wall collapse as heavy rains hit the region yesterday. Apart from the loss of human lives, eight head of cattle died in rain-related incidents, he said.

Ms Kadubai Balasaheb Gavande (34) was killed on the spot when lightning struck her. She was working on her agricultural land at Tuljapur area in Paithan taluka yesterday, he said.

Vaijnath Sahebrao Lembhe was also hit by lightning when he was ploughing his farm at Lembhewadi in Paithan taluka. He was declared dead on way to the hospital.

Bandu Mate and his two buffaloes met a similar fate at Nathpur in Beed district, Mr Shinde said.

Lightning struck eight-year-old Mithu isal of Aashti taluka in Beed district.

A three-year-old boy Prashant Sonawane was killed on the spot when a wall fell on him at Dongargan in Beed. Three cattle were reported to have died here.

In Nanded district, Navnathrao Deshmukh (50) along with his two cows were killed when they took shelter under the tree which was struck by lightning. Anil Rathod (20), who was helping his father on his agricultural land, was struck by lightning at Krishnawadi in Mukhed taluka. Sapati Vaghmare (50) of Nagthana in Umari taluka, was killed when lightning struck her along with a calf.

Several huts, sheds were razed to the ground and trees uprooted, injuring three people.

Around 200 tonnes of agricultural produce worth lakhs of rupees that was kept in the bazaar samiti ground perished due to heavy rains in Hingoli city, he added.

UNI