Lightening claims 7 lives in Rajasthan

Jaipur, July 23: Seven persons including three women were killed while 11 sustained burn injuries in separate incidents of lightening amidst heavy rains in parts of Rajasthan since last night, police said.

Four persons were killed in Jhalawar, two in Bhilwara, and one in Chittorgarh districts, the police said.

In the first incident yesterday, Jankibai Dhakar (50) and Pushpabai Dhakar (48), residents of Malanwasa and Barkheda villages in Sarola area, were killed, officials at Jhalawar police station told PTI.

Lightning struck when the two were working in a field yesterday amid the rains, they said. Seven women - Rekha, Dropadibai Dhakar, Kantibai Dhakar, Hemlata Dhakar, Geetabai Dhakar, Sitabai Dhakar, and Dwarkabai Dhakar received burn injuries in the incident, police said.

In the second incident, Govind Singh Jhala (33) and Rambharos Bheel (25), resident of Bhawrasa village in Jhalarapatan area, died on the spot after being struck by lighting yesterday afternoon while one person who was working along with them in a field sustained burn injuries.

The three were working in a field when it started raining and they took shelter under a tree, police said, adding that they were struck by lightning there.

The bodies have been handed over to family members following post-mortem last evening, they said adding that the injured persons are undergoing treatment at a local hospital.

PTI