Lightning kills 8, Kolkatans see incessant rainfall

Kolkata: Lightning killed eight people in different districts of Bengal, during the intermittent but heavy rainfall that the state witnessed since Friday morning.

The regional meteorological department has predicted similar weather to continue on Saturday as well.

The eight people who were killed include a woman and her mother-in-law, at Goaltore in West Midnapore. The other six were from places including Arambagh in Hooghly, Nanoor in Birbhum and Mongalkote in East Burdwan.

They received severe burn injuries after being struck by lightning and were declared brought dead when taken to hospital.

In most of the cases, the victims were working in agricultural land or passing through an open space, when the incidents took place.

The report of the death of eight persons reached the state secretariat, Nabanna, at around 7.30 pm. The state government is also taking all measures to support the victims' families.

Since morning, sporadic but heavy rainfall lashed different parts of the South Bengal districts. In Kolkata and its adjoining areas, there was heavily rainfall from around 10 am in morning.

With the weather remaining unchanged till late night, people returning from offices had to face inconveniences.

Meanwhile, according to the regional meteorological department, it is normal rainfall that the state witnesses in this time of a year. It has not been confirmed to be pre-monsoon and the department is yet to give a clear picture of when monsoon is going to arrive in the state.

However, the rainfall has given respite to the people of South Bengal from the high humidity and scorching heat of the sun.

Besides temperature, the humidity was also sky high for the past two days. The minimum and maximum temperature on Saturday will be around 25 and 32 degree Celsius and the humidity will also be low.

It may be mentioned that the state Disaster Management department has introduced a system, through which officials up to Panchayat level get prior alert on lightning.

It is helping to save lives of many people, as they are getting information about the place where lightning would strike at least 45 minutes ahead of the incident.