Farmer Killed by Lightning as Unseasonal Rain and Hailstorm Hit Marathwada
A tragic incident unfolded in Marathwada as a 60-year-old farmer lost his life after being struck by lightning during severe unseasonal weather conditions on Monday. The region experienced a combination of hailstorms and unexpected rainfall, causing widespread damage to agriculture and infrastructure.
Details of the Fatal Incident
The deceased has been identified as Digambar Ram Belkunde, a resident of Vaygaon village in Udgir taluka, Latur district. He was caught in the storm while working, highlighting the dangers posed by such erratic weather patterns to rural communities.
Extensive Damage to Property and Crops
The unseasonal rain and hailstorm led to significant destruction across parts of Marathwada. In Latur district, several kutcha houses in villages within Renapur and Ahmedpur talukas were partially damaged. Standing crops, including wheat, chickpea, and sorghum, suffered severe losses, threatening the livelihoods of local farmers.
Weather Impact Across the Region
Besides Latur, other districts such as Hingoli and Beed also reported unseasonal rainfall. However, areas like Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar and Nanded experienced partly cloudy skies with no rainfall activity until Monday night, indicating the scattered nature of the storms.
Official Response and Precautions
In response to the damage, Latur district guardian minister Shivendra Raje Bhosale has ordered panchanamas to assess the losses caused by the hailstorm and rain. The Latur district administration has issued an appeal, urging people, especially those in rural areas, to take necessary precautions as more unseasonal rain and hailstorms are forecasted for the next few days.
Scientific Explanation of the Weather Phenomenon
Shrinivas Aundhkar, director of the MGM APJ Abdul Kalam Astrospace Science Centre and Club, provided insights into the weather conditions. He explained that daytime heating led to the formation of convective clouds, which resulted in scattered rainfall activity along with hailstorms. "The chances of unseasonal rain and hailstorms are likely in parts of Marathwada for the next few days," he stated, emphasizing the need for vigilance.
This incident underscores the vulnerability of agricultural communities to climate variability and the importance of timely weather warnings and preparedness measures.
