Lightning claims 3 lives

Three persons died of lightning in separate incidents reported from Bellary and Chikmagalur since Monday night. In Bellary, the deceased have been identified as Tikkanna, 45, a resident of Karekallu and Poojary Babu, 35, of Sanganakallu.  

Tikkanna had gone to answer call of nature on the bank of a stream, when the lightning struck him. He was rushed to the Vijayanagar Institute of Medical Sciences (VIMS) in the city, where he died later in the night, said the Paramadevanahalli police who have registered a case. 

Similarly, Babu was struck dead on the spot by lightning on the outskirts of the village. The Bellary Rural police have registered a case. Heavy rain coupled with thunder and lightning that began to pound the taluk on Monday night, continued even on Tuesday.

 Rains accompanied by lightning lashed Chikmagalur and Kodagu on Tuesday. A man was killed when lightning struck him, at Suntikoppa in Chikamaglur district on Monday night. Vijayachandran (41) was working on a cable wire, when the incident occured.