Four killed in lightning strikes amid erratic AP weather

Visakhapatnam: Andhra Pradesh witnessed a mix of weather conditions on Monday, with rain, thunderstorms, gusty winds and lightning in parts of coastal Andhra Pradesh, while hot and humid conditions prevailed across the Rayalaseema region. Four people were killed in separate lightning strike incidents during rain and thunderstorms in the state on Monday. Sudden thunderstorms swept through parts of Srikakulam, Alluri Sitharama Raju, Parvathipuram Manyam, Anakapalle, Vizianagaram, Prakasam, Markapuram, NTR, Krishna, West Godavari, East Godavari, Dr B R Ambedkar Konaseema and Kakinada districts, bringing much-needed relief from the soaring temperatures and afternoon heat experienced over the past few days. In Rayalaseema, maximum temperatures hovered between 36°C and 40°C, causing discomfort due to hot and humid weather. According to the IMD, Nandyal recorded the highest temperature in the state at 40.7°C, followed by Kadapa at 40.3°C and Anantapur at 39.5°C. In coastal Andhra Pradesh, Jangamaheswarapuram in Palnadu district was the hottest at 38.5°C, followed by Nandigama at 38.1°C. The IMD has forecast thunderstorms accompanied by lightning at isolated places over coastal Andhra Pradesh, Yanam and Rayalaseema from April 7 to 9. Gusty winds with speeds of 40–50 kmph are also likely in isolated areas during this period. Weather officials said the state is set to witness a dramatic mix of conditions over the next two to three days, ranging from thunderstorms, rain and lightning in some districts to continued hot and humid weather in others. Rain accompanied by gusty winds caused damage to standing horticulture crops, including mango, banana and papaya, in parts of coastal Andhra Pradesh. Describing the first April thundershowers in parts of the Vizag region this year, V Ganesh, a resident of Visakhapatnam, said cloud cover transformed the summer skyline into a typical rainy-day scene, with many areas witnessing overcast skies. According to reports, Kannaiah died and four others were injured after a lightning strike at Pullalacheruvu, while Nagayya was killed when lightning struck him at Yerragondapalem in Markapuram district. Sixty-year-old V Narasamma in Vizianagaram district and 40-year-old Simhachalam in Parvathipuram Manyam district also died after being struck by lightning on Monday. Earlier, a lightning strike claimed the lives of a mother and daughter at B Kesupuram village in Mandasa mandal of Srikakulam district on Sunday. The victims were identified as M Krishna Kumari (40) and her daughter Yogeswari (15). They were struck by lightning while collecting cashew fruits and nuts.