Lightning Kills 41 in UP, 23 in Rajasthan; States Announce Ex Gratia

At least 11 people were killed and several injured after lightning struck Jaipur's Amer Palace in Rajasthan.

At least 11 people were killed and several injured on Sunday, 11 July, after lightning struck Jaipur's Amer Palace. Reports of lightning strikes have also emerged from Kota, Jhalawar, and Dholpur districts. At least 23 have been reportedly killed across the state till Sunday.

Rajasthan Disaster Management Joint Secretary Kalpana Aggarwal confirmed that at least 25 people were injured due to lightning strikes till 11 July, ANI reported.

Meanwhile, 41 people died across Uttar Pradesh on Sunday due lightning strikes. Prayagraj alone saw at least 14 deaths.

UP Relief Commissioner Ranvir Prasad stated on Monday, "At least 41 people died due to lightning strikes across 16 districts, 30 injured. As many as 250 animals died, while 20 were injured," ANI reported.

Rajasthan

In Jaipur, dozens of people were struck by lightning on a watchtower amid showers, reported PTI.

Senior police officer in Jaipur Anand Srivastava said, "Eleven people have died and eight were injured."

As per the report, 27 people were at the site when the incident occurred. Besides this, several villages in Rajasthan saw instances of lightning, killing many, including children.

Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot announced an ex gratia of Rs 5 lakh for the kin of those who lost their lives in these incidents.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi also condoled the deaths and offered an ex gratia of Rs 2 lakh each to the families of those killed.

PM @narendramodi has announced an ex-gratia of Rs. 2 lakh each from PMNRF to the next of kin of those who lost their lives due to lightning in parts of Rajasthan. Rs. 50,000 would be provided to the injured.

— PMO India (@PMOIndia) July 12, 2021

कोटा, धौलपुर, झालावाड़, जयपुर और बारां में आज आकाशीय बिजली गिरने से हुई जनहानि बेहद दुखद एवं दुर्भाग्यपूर्ण है। प्रभावितों के परिजनों के प्रति मेरी गहरी संवेदनाएं, ईश्वर उन्हें सम्बल प्रदान करें।
अधिकारियों को निर्देश दिए हैं कि पीड़ित परिवारों को शीघ्र सहायता उपलब्ध करवाएं।

— Ashok Gehlot (@ashokgehlot51) July 11, 2021

Uttar Pradesh

Meanwhile, rural areas of Uttar Pradesh also witnessed similar incidents.

Majority of the fatalities – 14 – were reported in Prayagraj. Kanpur and Fatehpur districts recorded five fatalities each.

Four people lost their lives in Kaushambi, while Firozabad, Unnao, and Rae Bareli reported two deaths each.

One death each was reported in Hardoi and Jhansi.

UP Relief Commissioner Ranvir Prasad announced Rs 4 lakh ex gratia for the kin of the deceased and promised proper medical treatment to the injured.

PM Modi was briefed about the loss of lives and damages in the state, with an ex gratia of Rs 2 lakh announced for the families of the deceased and Rs 50,000 for the injured.

The Prime Minister was briefed about the loss of lives and damages due to lightning in parts of Uttar Pradesh. An ex-gratia of Rs. 2 lakh each from PMNRF would be given to the next of kin of the deceased and Rs. 50,000 would be given to the injured.

— PMO India (@PMOIndia) July 12, 2021

Acknowledging the loss of lives and expressing grief, Australian High Commissioner to India Barry O’Farrell wrote on Twitter:

Saddened to hear about the loss of lives due to lightning strikes in parts of India. My condolences to the families of the deceased. #Lightning #Lightningstrikes #Rajasthan #MadhyaPradesh #UttarPradesh

— Barry O’Farrell AO (@AusHCIndia) July 12, 2021

(With inputs from PTI, ANI and NDTV)