Unseasonal Storms Claim Three Lives in Maharashtra Districts
Intense and unseasonal rainfall accompanied by severe thunderstorms and lightning battered parts of Satara and Kolhapur districts in Maharashtra on Thursday night, resulting in tragic loss of life and significant agricultural damage.
Farmer Killed by Lightning Strike in Satara
A 65-year-old farmer from Tondale village in Man taluka was killed when a bolt of lightning struck him while he was working in his field. The deceased has been identified as Lala Daji Jadhav.
"After 5pm, heavy rain along with lightning began. Jadhav was suddenly struck by lightning while working in his field and died on the spot," stated an official from the Satara district disaster management team.
The official further detailed that several areas, including Pusegaon, Kaledhon, Khatav, Vaduz, Jamb, Jakhangaon, Loni, Nagache Kumthe, Ganeshwadi, Aundh, Daruj, Darjai, Vetne, and Bhushangadb, witnessed heavy showers. These downpours caused extensive damage to orchards, standing crops, and fodder, resulting in significant financial losses for local farmers.
Waterlogging was reported at multiple locations on roads in Pusegaon and Vaduz, triggering panic among residents. Man and Khatav talukas, both typically drought-prone regions, were particularly affected by the intense rainfall.
Separate Drowning Incidents in Kolhapur District
In a separate tragic event in Kolhapur district, a 21-year-old engineering student drowned in the Dudhganga river near the Kalammawadi dam on Thursday evening. The victim, Abhishek Babasaheb Kamble of Battis Shirala in Sangli district, had visited the area for tourism with four college friends.
While the group was swimming in the river, Kamble was swept away by strong currents. After an overnight search operation, his body was recovered on Friday afternoon. Police have registered an accidental drowning case at the Radhanagri police station.
Investigations revealed that the group had visited the dam site without informing their families. Officials noted that this was the sixth drowning incident reported at the Dudhganga river near the Kalammawadi dam, highlighting a recurring danger at the location.
Priest Drowns in Panchaganga River
In a second drowning incident, Arun Dhondiram Gurav (38), a priest at the Vitthlai Devi temple in Dugmanwad village of Radhanagari taluka, drowned in the Panchaganga river. Gurav had travelled to the Jyotiba temple in Wadi-Ratnagiri for the annual Chaitra Yatra and was staying at his sister's residence.
"On Thursday morning, while returning home, Gurav entered the river at the Shingnapur barrage to take a bath as his friends waited in a car nearby. He swam for some distance but became exhausted while returning and began to drown. Onlookers tried to rescue him by throwing a tube, but he failed to grab it and disappeared in the fast-flowing water," explained an official.
A search operation was launched by the disaster management team using scuba equipment, but strong currents hampered the effort. Gurav's body was later recovered from the riverbank on Friday. A case has been registered with the Karvir police station.
The series of incidents underscores the severe impact of the unseasonal weather, combining natural disasters like lightning strikes with human tragedies in water bodies, calling for increased public awareness and safety measures during such conditions.
