PUNALUR: Two labourers of Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) died after struck by lightning at Maniyar in Punalur, Kollam. The dead have been identified as Sarojam and Rajini of Edakkunnam. The incident happened Tuesday morning at 10 am. They were struck by lightning while working in the field of a private person. There was light rain and thundershowers in the area since morning. The two seriously injured in the lightning were taken to Punalur Taluk Hospital, but their lives could not be saved. The bodies have been shifted to the mortuary and will be released to their relatives after post-mortem.
Meanwhile, a house was damaged in the lightning at Thottada in Kannur. The wall and window of Gangadharan’s house, a resident of Thottada, were damaged by lightning. No one was injured in the incident that happened this morning. A fisherman was injured in the lightning in Ernakulam. Siby George of Thoppumpadi, has been admitted in the hospital. George’s boat was also destroyed in the lightning.
The IMD has warned that there will be rain with thunder and lightning in various districts of the state. Move to a safe building at the first sign of lightning.