Bankura, 25 July (H.S.): Tragedy struck West Bengal’s Bankura district on Friday as lightning strikes across various areas claimed the lives of 9 people and left 4 others injured. Just a week earlier, two people had died in similar incidents, and this sudden surge in fatalities has triggered panic across the district.

As per information, the weather changed abruptly on Friday afternoon, with heavy rains accompanied by severe lightning storms. The worst-hit area was the Onda block, where four people were killed. The deceased have been identified as Narayan Sar (48) of Kamarkata, Tilka Mal (49) of Ramkrishnapur, Jaba Bauri (38) of Bhaduldanga in Makarkonda, and Protima Ray (32) of Chhaguliya village.

In Indas police station area, Sheikh Ismail Mondal (60) of Bangalchak died due to lightning, while a woman named Bulti Bagdi was injured. In Kheeri village under Kotulpur police station, Ziaul Haque Molla (50) was killed, and Asfiya Molla sustained serious injuries. In the Patrasayer police station area, near Kantaban Udaypally School, 20-year-old Jiban Ghosh lost his life. In Khadikashuli village under Joypur block, Uttam Bhuniya (38) died, while Madan Bagdi from Baikunthapur in Bishnupur also fell victim to the lightning strike.

This is the peak season for paddy cultivation in the district, and most farmers were engaged in agricultural work in the fields. According to the victims’ families, the lightning struck so suddenly that there was no time to seek shelter.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Priyanka Pandey