Storm fury in CG: Farmer killed, three injured in lighting strikes

Raipur: Lightning strikes and sudden storms turned deadly across Chhattisgarh, killing a farmer, injuring three others in Mahasamund and Bilaspur, and triggering a house fire on Friday.

In Mahasamund district, 40-year-old Dharam Singh Gond was killed late Thursday night when lightning struck a machan built on a tree in Tumgaon region. He had climbed the platform with his father, to guard their groundnut field.

Police said the bolt hit the machan during intense thunder and lightning, killing Dharam Singh on the spot. His father suffered serious burn injuries and was rushed by villagers to the community health centre, where he is undergoing treatment.

In another incident in the same district, lightning struck a thatched house in Baghamuda village on Friday morning, sparking a fire that gutted household goods, furniture, clothes and vehicle seat covers worth lakhs.

Family members were in another portion of the house when the fire broke out and escaped unhurt.

Bilaspur also reported a lightning incident from Gataura village where a father and daughter were injured while trying to take shelter from rain. Ghanshyam Khande and his daughter were standing under a tree when lightning struck, leaving both injured. They were admitted to CIMS hospital, where treatment is underway.

Earlier this week, an 18-year-old student, Shakti Bishnoi, died after being struck by lightning while playing cricket in Durg district. He had gone to a ground with friends when the weather suddenly changed. As the group was leaving, lightning struck him. He was taken to two hospitals but was declared dead.

The weather department has forecast thunder, lightning, strong winds and light rain at several places in Chhattisgarh over the next four days. A heatwave warning has also been issued for central Chhattisgarh from May 17.