(Web Desk) – At least 38 people have been killed across Uttar Pradesh state due to lightning during the last 24 hours, Indian media reported on Thursday.
The deaths have been reported as the state grapples with flooding, which brought normal life to a standstill.
With 11 deaths, Pratapgarh accounted for the most fatalities due to lighting strikes, followed by seven in Sultanpur, six in Chandauli, five in Mainpuri, four in Prayagraj, one each in Auraiya, Deoria, Hathras, Varanasi and Siddharthnagar. Dozens of people have suffered burn injuries as well.
In Pratapgarh, the deaths happened in five different regions and the bodies were sent for postmortem.
In eastern Uttar Pradesh's Chandauli, meanwhile, lightning victims include two cousins aged 13 and 15, who were reportedly working on a farm or fishing.
The district received heavy rainfall between 4 pm and 6 pm on Wednesday along with lightning.
The media reported that three of seven dead in Sultanpur were children. The victims were struck by lightning when they were planting paddies or went to pick mangoes or fetch water. One woman, who was under a tree while it was raining heavily, died on the spot after being struck by lightning.
A 14-year-old boy died in Auraiya while sheltering under a mango tree as it was raining. In Deoria, a five-year-old girl died after being struck by lightning while walking towards the farm field where her family members were already present. In Varanasi, two brothers were struck by lightning, while one succumbed to burn injuries, the other one is currently undergoing treatment.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has, however, forecast more widespread rainfall to continue in Uttar Pradesh and its adjoining states and Union territories over the next five days.