Nagpur, Maharashtra (April 4, 2025): Unseasonal rain over the past two days has caused heavy damage across Vidarbha. On Thursday, thunderstorms and lightning strikes claimed four lives, including a woman farmer, in Bhandara, Yavatmal, and Washim districts. The lightning also killed cattle and goats. Farmers suffered major losses as rabi paddy, wheat, chickpeas, mangoes, and vegetables were damaged. Several houses were also affected. In Bhandara district’s Tumsar taluka, two people lost their lives during the storm. Around noon, heavy rain with lightning began in Pathari village. Three people, returning from their fields, took shelter under a mango tree. A lightning strike hit the tree, killing a woman and a male farmer on the spot. The deceased were identified as Manisha Bharat Pushpatode, 32, and Pramod Maniram Nagpure, 42. Manisha’s father-in-law, Asaram Pushpatode, 55, survived the incident.
In another incident in Mukutban village, Yavatmal district, Vasanta Narsing Chavan, 38, was working in his field around 9:30 a.m. when lightning struck him. He was rushed for treatment, but doctors declared him dead. A farm laborer in Washim district was also killed by lightning. The incident took place around 4 p.m. in Kavathe Shivara, Risod taluka, while he was boiling turmeric. The deceased was identified as Chandravilas Kathole, 40.
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Cattle Killed in Lightning Strikes
A cowshed in Sakoli city’s Civil Ward caught fire due to sparks from a storm, killing ten buffaloes. In Wardha district’s Hinganghat taluka, a bull tied in a field was killed by lightning. In Waghuli village, two goats grazing in a field also died after being struck. The goat herder, Damodar Watmode, survived.
More Rain Expected
The weather department has predicted that unseasonal rain will continue for the next two days across the region.