Reported by Farhana Ahmed
Lakhimpur: A lightning strike claimed one life and left another person critically injured in Assam’s Lakhimpur district on Sunday afternoon, amid prevailing thunderstorms in the region.
The deceased has been identified as 75-year-old Jatin Gogoi, who was engaged in paddy transplantation at his agricultural field in Sonarigaon under Borbali Gaon Panchayat in Bihpuria. He died on the spot after being struck by lightning.
In a separate incident nearby, Padmini Gogoi Baruah from Rajbari village sustained serious injuries while returning home after attending a religious gathering at a local Naam Ghar. She was initially taken to the Bihpuria Community Health Centre before being referred to Lakhimpur Medical College and Hospital for further treatment.
Following the incident, Bihpuria MLA Bhupen Bora visited the bereaved family of the deceased and extended condolences. He also announced an ex-gratia assistance of Rs 4 lakh for the next of kin.
The district has been experiencing intense rainfall accompanied by thunder and lightning over the past 24 hours. Experts have linked the rising frequency of such incidents to extreme weather patterns associated with climate change and increasing atmospheric temperatures.
Lakhimpur has seen similar weather-related hazards in recent months, including a March incident in Dhakuakhana where lightning strikes reportedly killed several livestock animals.
Meteorological studies suggest that rising global temperatures are contributing to stronger convective cloud formation, increasing the likelihood of thunderstorms and lightning activity. The region has also been witnessing irregular rainfall patterns following a prolonged dry spell earlier in the year.