The first monsoon rain of the season turned into a tragedy for a family in Madhya Pradesh's Chhatarpur district. Two real cousins died on the spot after being struck by lightning in Saurkhi village under Ghuwara tehsil. The devastating incident has plunged the victims' family and the entire village into mourning, and it has left residents shaken with fear. Police reached the spot as soon as the incident was reported and are carrying out further proceedings.
Five or six villagers had gone fishing at the dam
According to available information, five to six residents of Saurkhi village had gone fishing at the Ban Sujara dam, built on the Dhasan river. While they were there, the weather suddenly turned, and heavy rain began to pour. Seeing the weather worsen, the entire group started making its way back home from the dam, with the rain growing heavier by the minute as everyone hurried to reach safety.
The group split up on the way back
On the return journey, the group came across a drain where the water was flowing fast. Four members of the group took another, safer route to get across, while the two remaining brothers headed home along a different path. As the rain grew heavier, the two cousins, identified as Kanai Adivasi and Charan Adivasi, took shelter under a tree along the way to escape the downpour, hoping to wait it out under its cover.
Lightning struck the tree, killing both instantly
While they stood under the tree, a bolt of lightning suddenly struck it directly. Kanai Adivasi and Charan Adivasi were caught in its path and died on the spot. It was only by chance that the other four members of the group, who were sheltering under a separate tree, escaped the lightning strike unharmed. Shocked by what had just happened, they rushed toward the village to raise the alarm and seek help.
Officials rushed to the spot, bodies sent for postmortem
News of the deaths spread rapidly, and within a short time a large crowd of villagers had gathered at the site. Ghuwara tehsildar Preetam Singh Gaur and the local police force reached the spot as soon as they were informed. In the presence of administrative officials, a panchnama was prepared for both bodies, after which police sent them to hospital for postmortem. The administration has assured the grieving family of all possible financial assistance as per government rules.
