On Sunday, several people were killed in lightning strikes in Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan. While in Uttar Pradesh, around 40 people died due to lightning, in Rajasthan, around 20 people died due to lightning.
These included 11 people taking selfies outside Amer Fort in Jaipur. These people were taking selfies on the watchtower when lightning struck them. Many people were also injured in the incident.
According to the report of NDTV, 40 people died at different places in Uttar Pradesh due to lightning. There were 18 deaths in Kanpur and its adjoining districts, 14 in Prayagraj, four in Kaushambi, three in Agra, two in Unnao and one in Pratapgarh, Varanasi and Rae Bareli.
In some places, animals also died due to lightning. The state government has announced a compensation of Rs 4 lakh each to the deceased’s next of kin.
20 killed, 13 injured in Rajasthan
Talking about Rajasthan, about 20 people died due to lightning here. There were 11 deaths in Jaipur, four in Kota, three in Dholpur and one in Baran and Jhalawar. Seven children were among the dead.
In the state, 13 people have also been injured due to lightning, while 13 animals, including 10 goats, have lost their lives. A compensation of Rs 5 lakh each has been announced to the next of kin of the deceased.
Lightning fell on people taking selfies in the rain
People who died due to lightning in Jaipur were taking selfies at the watchtower of Amer Fort amid the rain. According to reports, dozens of people were present at the tower when the lightning struck.
Some of these people panicked and jumped from the tower and got hurt. A total of 27 people were on the tower, of whom 11 died, while the rest were injured by lightning and jumping.
PM Modi expressed grief, announced compensation
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has expressed grief over the loss of lives due to lightning in Rajasthan. The Prime Minister’s Office tweeted, “Many people have lost their lives due to lightning in some areas of Rajasthan. This has hurt a lot. I express my deepest condolences to the families of the deceased.
Two lakh each will be given to the next of kin of the deceased and Rs 50,000 to the injured from the Prime Minister’s National Relief Fund.
Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot also expressed grief.
Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot also expressed grief and tweeted, ‘The loss of lives due to lightning in Kota, Dholpur, Jhalawar, Jaipur and Baran today is regrettable and unfortunate. My deepest condolences to the families of the affected; may God give them strength.”.