HYDERABAD: Five people were killed and one injured in separate lightning strike incidents across various districts of Andhra Pradesh in a single day.
In Prakasam district, Suni and Akash from the SC Colony were playing cricket in the fields with their friends when sudden heavy rain accompanied by thunder and lightning forced them to seek shelter under a nearby neem tree. A shepherd, Nagam Thrupthia from Umaradipalli village, also took refuge under the same tree.
Lightning struck the tree, leaving Suni and Akash unconscious and Thrupthia injured. The two boys were rushed to the government hospital, where doctors declared them dead.
In Kurnool district, Eranna of Hanumanpur village died on the spot when lightning struck near a temple in Godikel village, where he had gone to offer prayers.
In Chappagiri of the same district, a lightning strike hit a tree behind a cowshed near a temple. A falling branch struck and killed Shivanna, a retired railway employee.
In YSR district, Bhanu Obbaleshu, a young farmer from Es Uppalapadu village, was returning from his field when he was struck by lightning and died on the spot.
Officials have urged the public to stay indoors during thunderstorms and avoid taking shelter under trees during such weather conditions.
