In a heartbreaking incident, four women agricultural workers were killed and another severely injured after lightning struck while they were working in the fields near Ariyanachi village, close to Veppur in Thittakudi taluk, Cuddalore district, on Thursday afternoon.
The tragedy occurred as heavy rain accompanied by thunder and lightning lashed several parts of Tamil Nadu with the onset of the northeast monsoon. The women were reportedly harvesting crops when a sudden lightning bolt struck the field, killing four of them instantly.
The victims were identified as Parijatham, Rajeshwari, Chinnaponnu, and Kanitha. Another worker, Thavamani, sustained severe burn injuries and was rushed to the Veppur Government Hospital, where she is undergoing treatment.
Upon receiving information, local police and revenue officials rushed to the spot and conducted an inquiry. Authorities have assured that compensation and relief will be provided to the victims’ families as per government norms.
The sudden deaths have cast a pall of gloom over the village, where hundreds gathered to mourn the victims. Officials have urged farmers and the public to take precautions and avoid open fields during thunderstorms, as lightning activity is expected to intensify with the ongoing northeast monsoon.
