4 dead in lightning strikes at separate places in West Bengal

Four people died and two others were injured after lightning struck three locations in West Bengal's Howrah district on Monday, police said.

The incidents occurred in Jagatballavpur, Amta and Bagnan police station areas.

At Maju in Jagatballavpur, four people working in and around agricultural fields were struck by lightning during rain.

“Two persons died on the spot, while two others suffered serious injuries and were shifted to a hospital,” a police officer said.

The two deceased farmers were identified as Manabendra Mondal (50) and Anup Kar (45). The district administration is monitoring the situation closely, and assistance will be extended in accordance with the government norms,” an official said.

In another incident, Sushanta Roy (35) died after being struck by lightning at Sonamui Dhakipara under Amta police station.

He was reportedly washing mud off his spade at a pond after returning from work in the fields when lightning struck. He was taken to Amta Rural Hospital, where doctors declared him dead.

In the third such incident, another peasant died after being struck by lightning while working in a field at Katapukur under Bagnan police station. His identity was yet to be ascertained, police said.