Agartala/Kumarghat May 6: A deadly lightning strike in Tripura claimed the life of a rubber plantation worker, Gautam Roy (29) and left seven others injured on Tuesday afternoon.
The tragic incident occurred at Laljuri village, under the jurisdiction of Fatikroy police station in Kumarghat.
The tragedy has sent shockwaves through the local community, casting a somber shadow over the area.
The Incident: A Deadly lightning Bolt from the Sky
According to Parthanath Bhowmik, the Officer-in-Charge (OC) of Fatikroy Police Station, the incident occurred around 2:00 pm when a group of workers was tending to a rubber plantation in Laljuri.
A powerful lightning bolt struck the plantation, instantly injuring eight workers who were caught in its path.
The sudden and violent act of nature left the workers in critical condition, sparking panic among their colleagues and nearby residents.
Local villagers quickly sprang into action, rushing to the scene to aid the victims. With commendable urgency, they transported the injured workers to the nearby Kanchanbari Primary Health Center for immediate medical attention.
The swift response of the community undoubtedly played a crucial role in ensuring the injured received timely care.
Deadly Lightning Strike in Tripura: One dead
At Kanchanbari Primary Health Center, medical staff worked to stabilize the victims. However, three of the workers—identified as Gautam Roy (29), Tapan Shil (33), and Nepal Gope (40)—sustained severe injuries that required advanced treatment.
The attending doctors referred them to Unakoti District Hospital for specialized care.
However, Gautam Roy succumbed to his injuries en route to the district hospital, leaving behind a grieving family and a devastated community.
The remaining two critically injured workers, Tapan Shil and Nepal Gope, are currently receiving treatment at Kailashahar District Hospital, while the other five wounded persons are: Bikas Majumder, Anupam Bhattacharjee, Indrajit Deb, Subhash Das and Nabyendu Bikas Paul.
A Community in Mourning
The untimely death of Gautam Roy has left Laljuri village enveloped in grief. Neighbors, friends, and fellow workers have come together to offer their condolences and support to Roy’s family during this difficult time.
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Fisheries Minister and local MLA Sudhangshu Das, in a social media post expressed his deep sorrow and condolences to the family of the deceased, praying for the soul’s eternal peace.
He also wished for the speedy recovery of the injured persons, who are currently receiving medical treatment at hospital.
The Minister wrote, “In a tragic incident, one person died unnaturally due to a severe lightning strike in Laljuri Gram Panchayat, which falls under my assembly constituency, and five local individuals are critically injured and undergoing treatment in the hospital.
I am deeply saddened and distressed upon receiving news of this heartbreaking accident.
Meanwhile, authorities are working to provide necessary assistance to the affected families.
Lightning Risks in India:
Lightning strikes are a significant concern in India, particularly in rural and agricultural regions.
Referring to the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB)’s Crimes in India Report, 2022, The Indian Express reported, out of 8,060 fatalities resulting from natural forces, 2,887 were attributed to lightning strikes, representing 35.8% of the total deaths.
In view of the alarming rate of death owing to lightning, experts urge communities to adopt preventive measures, such as avoiding open fields during storms, seeking shelter in sturdy buildings, and installing lightning rods in vulnerable areas.
As climate patterns shift, increasing the frequency of extreme weather events, addressing these risks has become more critical than ever.
