Chhindwara, June 28 (IANS) In a heart-breaking incident, seven members of the same family were struck by lightning while working in their agricultural field in Jilehari village under the Amarwara Assembly constituency in Chhindwara district. One young woman lost her life during treatment, while six others remain seriously injured and are battling for their lives in hospital.

The family was engaged in routine farming activities when the weather suddenly turned hostile in the afternoon. Dark clouds gathered rapidly, accompanied by strong winds, heavy rainfall and intense thunderstorms. As the family scrambled to find shelter, a powerful lightning bolt struck them with a deafening thunderclap, police officials said.

The impact caused immediate chaos in the field, with screams echoing across the farmland. Villagers working in nearby fields rushed to the spot upon hearing the commotion. They found the seven family members severely affected and quickly arranged for their transport to a nearby hospital.

Doctors initiated urgent treatment, but the young woman, who had sustained critical injuries, could not be saved despite their best efforts. She succumbed to her injuries at the hospital, plunging the entire family and Jilehari village into deep mourning.

The remaining six victims continue to receive medical care, with some still in critical condition. Local police and the administration have visited the site and are providing support to the grieving family.

As many as 18 people have died due to lightning in Madhya Pradesh so far this season.

This tragedy comes amid an active spell of thunderstorms across Madhya Pradesh. The India Meteorological Department has issued alerts for light thunderstorms accompanied by lightning and light rain over several districts, including Rajgarh, Agar-Malwa, Shajapur, Ratlam, Ujjain, Dhar, Jhabua, Vidisha, Alirajpur, Barwani, Khargone, Burhanpur, Shivpuri, Gwalior, Bhind, Datia, Niwari, Tikamgarh, Chhatarpur, Dindori, Anuppur, Shahdol, Sidhi, Singrauli, Chhindwara, Pandurna, Seoni, Balaghat and Mandla during the noon hours.

In the last 24 hours, strong winds were recorded in several areas, with Shivpuri registering the highest speed at 61 kmph, followed by Gwalior and Jabalpur at 56 kmph each.

The state is also facing a significant rainfall deficit so far this monsoon season (June 1 to June 28, 2026). Madhya Pradesh has received 38 per cent less rainfall than the long-period average, with East Madhya Pradesh experiencing a sharp 67 per cent deficit and West Madhya Pradesh recording a milder 10 per cent shortfall.

–IANS

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