Pioneer News Service
DUMKA
A wave of grief washed over the Ramgarh block of Dumka district on Tuesday afternoon as violent thunderstorms and high-intensity lightning strikes caused widespread destruction. The sudden natural disaster claimed three lives, including a young woman and two farmers, while leaving over half a dozen people—among them a four-year-old child—severely injured across different villages.
The most severe incident occurred in Gidbanna village under the Chhoti Ranbahiyar panchayat, where 20-year-old Altamuni Marandi was working in the paddy fields alongside her family. A violent lightning bolt struck the field, killing Altamuni on the spot. Her husband, Rajendra Murmu, and four-year-old daughter suffered intense burn injuries and were initially rushed to the Ramgarh Community Health Centre (CHC). Owing to their precarious condition, medical staff referred them to Phulo-Jhano Medical College and Hospital in Dumka for specialized care.
In the same panchayat, tragedy struck Khudimerkho village when 30-year-old Babulal Hembrom was caught in the open during two hours of continuous torrential rain. He was struck by lightning while working in his field shortly after his mother had returned home, resulting in his instantaneous death. Meanwhile, in Dumarjor village under Kanji panchayat, 35-year-old Rohit Kunwar, son of Bhairo Kunwar, also lost his life to an atmospheric strike while attending to his agricultural plot. Emergency responders brought him to CHC Ramgarh, where attending doctors pronounced him brought dead.
The thunderbolts caused additional casualties in neighbouring areas. In Aluwada village, two women—Babita Devi and Chinta Devi—were injured and are undergoing treatment at a private clinic, where their condition is reported to be stable. In Telondha village, two youths identified as Churka Tudu and Deoghariya Manjhi sustained severe lightning burns and remain in critical condition.
