Lightning kills 68 across Rajasthan, UP & MP
A total of 68 people died in separate lightning incidents across Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan in the last 24 hours.
In the last 24 hours, there was heavy rainfall and lightning strikes in Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh & Uttar Pradesh. Due to lightning strikes, 20 people died in Rajasthan including 7 children in Kota and Dholpur districts of Rajasthan. Of these, 11 were visitors who were killed when lightning struck them at Amer Fort near Jaipur. 41 people have been killed across UP and 7 people died in Madhya Pradesh due to the lightning. Taking to Twitter, PM Modi wrote, "Many people have lost their lives due to lightning. This is very saddening. I express my deepest condolences to the families of the deceased."Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced an ex-gratia of Rs 2 lakh each for the next of kin of those killed due to the lightning strikes in all the three states and Rs 50,000 for the injured.
Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot has announced a compensation of Rs 5 lakh each for the family members of those who died in lightning strikes. The numbers may seem high but should not surprise anyone. Thunderstorms accompanied by lightning strikes can kill many people, according to the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA). Lightning strikes have killed at least 2,000 people every year in India since 2004.
