Palamu district is reeling from the impact of lightning strikes, which resulted in the deaths of four people. The tragic events occurred in the Panki and Patan blocks, with three women perishing in Panki and a young man in Patan. The local areas are in mourning.
In Jolhabigha village, located within the Kekergarh Panchayat of Panki block, three family members died after being struck by lightning while working in a rice field. The deceased individuals were identified as Okida Khatoon (34), Rashmi Bibi (35), and Rajvi Bibi (40). Rajvi Bibi was in Jolhabigha to assist with the paddy planting from her maternal home.
In a separate incident, in Nawadih Bhurwa village under the Patan police station, Niranjan Mehta (32) was killed instantly by lightning while transporting paddy saplings in a field. Niranjan leaves behind two young children, one of whom is a one-and-a-half-year-old daughter. The community is deeply saddened by his death.
In a related event, Pushpa Devi, wife of the Sarpanch Vinayak Saw of Pathakpagar Panchayat in Tarhasi block, survived a lightning strike, but four of her goats were killed. The goats had sought shelter under a mahua tree when the lightning struck. Pushpa had been present but left shortly before the incident. The estimated loss due to the death of the goats is 80,000 rupees.