Patna, April 26 (IANS) After days of intense heat, the weather in Katihar took a dramatic turn on Sunday as a powerful storm accompanied by heavy rainfall swept across the district.

While the sudden change brought temporary relief from the scorching temperatures, it also led to tragedy, with three people losing their lives due to lightning strikes at different locations.

The deceased have been identified as Md. Abbas (65), a resident of Shitalmani Panchayat in Azamnagar, Manglesh Kumar (27), from Chandwa Panchayat in Korha block, and Akmal Hussain (45), a resident of Islampur Sukhasan village under Semapur police station.

Md. Abbas lost his life after being struck by lightning while he had gone to the fields to bring back his livestock in Korobari village.

In another incident, Manglesh Kumar was killed in Khudna village during the storm.

The news of his death left his family shattered — his wife Dolly Devi and their four children are inconsolable, plunging the entire village into grief.

Similarly, Akmal Hussain lost his life in Islampur Sukhasan village while working in his field after maize harvesting.

He was struck by lightning amid sudden rainfall and strong winds, resulting in his death on the spot.

Following the incidents, teams from the district administration and police reached the affected areas and assured all possible assistance to the bereaved families.

Authorities have urged residents to remain cautious during adverse weather conditions, advising people to avoid open fields and outdoor activities during thunderstorms and lightning.

The district administration has recovered the bodies and sent them for post-mortem at Sadar Hospital, Katihar.

The authorities have initiated compensation for the family members of the deceased under government norms.

The incidents have cast a deep shadow of mourning across the affected villages, even as the rains brought much-needed relief from the ongoing heatwave in the region.

The weather in the Seemanchal region of Bihar has been changing over the last 24 hours and has provided some relief from the intense heat.

–IANS

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