Daijiworld Media Network - Chandauli

Chandauli, Jun 14: Two people, including a 12-year-old girl and a 35-year-old woman, died after being struck by lightning during a sudden storm in Uttar Pradesh's Chandauli district on Saturday.

Officials said strong winds and thunderstorms swept across Chandauli and adjoining areas on Saturday afternoon. Amid the changing weather conditions, Ruby (12) and Laxmi (35), residents of Dhanawal village under the Chakia Kotwali area, had gone to a nearby orchard to collect mangoes.

During the storm, lightning struck the area, fatally injuring both victims. They died on the spot, plunging the village into grief and shock.

On receiving information about the incident, police rushed to the spot, took custody of the bodies and sent them for post-mortem examination. District administration officials also visited the village to assess the situation.

Chakia Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM) Pankaj Yadav confirmed that the deaths were caused by a lightning strike. He said necessary administrative procedures are underway and the families of the deceased will receive government compensation under disaster relief assistance provisions.