2 killed in lightning strikes in Satara; 3 drown in Sangli and Kolhapur

Kolhapur: Multiple rain-related events, including lightning strikes and drownings, claimed at least six lives across Satara, Sangli and Kolhapur districts on Saturday, as authorities reiterated warnings amid heavy rain alerts.In Satara district, two men — an electrician and a shepherd — died after being struck by lightning in separate incidents. Shankar Waghmode (45), an electrician, was killed on the spot when lightning struck while he was repairing a submersible pump at Waghmodewadi in Man tehsil. His assistant and three farmers were also struck; two sustained serious injuries.Those present said, “Around 5pm the sky turned dark, gusty winds and rain started. They were there to take out the pump for repair. Suddenly, the lightening struck.” The injured and deceased were taken to a public hospital by survivors.In another incident in Koregaon tehsil, shepherd Dada Budhawale (52) died after lightning struck him at Ramoshiwadi. He had taken shelter under a tree while grazing goats.Meanwhile, in Sangli district, a 13-year-old boy, Harshal Hipparkar, drowned in a well near Walekhindi in Jat tehsil. Rescuers retrieved his body from the well, which had about 45 feet of water.Kolhapur witnessed two separate drowning deaths. Ganesh Nandawade (22) drowned while swimming in a well at Ichnal village in Gadhinglaj tehsil. In another case, Sujal Mohan Sangale (22) died after his head struck the bottom of a lake at Vadi Ratnagiri, near the hilltop Jotiba temple.Officials said the incidents occurred amid sudden weather changes, including gusty winds and heavy rain. Satara district disaster management officer Devidas Tamhane said, “We have made repeated appeals to people not to step out when there is warning for heavy rain. There was yellow alert on Saturday evening. We had put out alerts in advance.”Satara collector Santosh Patil has also issued an advisory urging people to take precautions and avoid venturing out during adverse weather conditions.