4 dead, 7 injured in lightning strikes across state in 24 hrs

Gumla/Hazaribag/Garhwa: Four persons died and seven were injured in lightning strikes in the past 24 hours across the state.In Gumla, a couple died, and three others were injured when they were out in Koel river fishing, officials said on Wednesday. The deceased were identified as Harakhmain Jhora (32) and his wife Suko Devi (28), while the injured are Mahabir Jhora, Bandhan Devi, and 12-year-old Shivam Jhora. The couple has left behind three children. According to Sudhu Jhora, who is from the deceased's village, said, "Rain started when the couple and others were out fishing. They had taken shelter under a river rock, but lightning struck them." All five were taken to a hospital in Sisai, where doctors declared the couple dead on Tuesday night.Gumla DC Karn Satyarthi on Wednesday said, "The administration has taken cognisance of the incident. The children will be taken care of under the govt scheme and will be educated in govt residential schools. The administration is processing all possible assistance for the children." In Hazaribag, two persons died when they were working in a field. The deceased are Raj Sao (31) and Sanjay Bhuiyan (40).In another incident, five teenagers were injured in lightning strike at Kalyanpur village in Garhwa district on Wednesday afternoon. The injured were rushed to Garhwa sadar hospital where they are undergoing treatment, while one of them is in serious condition.The injured are Suman Kumari (7), Rupa Kumari (6), Renu Kumari (10), Rubi Kumari (12) and Aryan Kumar (8). Aryan's condition is critical, doctors said. Locals said that the children were playing under a tree when they were struck by lightning.Since Saturday, at least a dozen people have lost their lives due to thunderstorm activities in Hazaribag, Ramgarh, Garhwa and areas in Santhal Pargana.