Periyapatna: The six were all from the same village—Hunaswadi in Periyapatna taluk—aged between 16 and 60. However, their final destiny was inexplicably linked. All of them died in one stroke as lightning struck them yesterday afternoon when they were taking shelter in a temple following heavy rains.

The six unfortunate victims are Suvarnamma (40), wife of Suresh, Puttannaiah (60), Sudeep (16), son of Mahadeva, Umesh, son of Srinivasagowda, Sujay (21) son of Nataraj and Thimmegowda (60). The two who have been grievously injured are Lakkegowda’s son 16-year-old Vishwanath and Kumar’s son 12-year-old Madesh, who have been admitted to K.R. Hospital in Mysuru. Shantegowda’s son Ganesh, 18, has been admitted to Brindavan Hospital in Mysuru.

A few residents of Hunswadi village, as part of their daily routine were grazing cattle in the neighbouring Nandinathapura’s  Venkateshwara Hatcheries’ poultry farm. Yesterday too about 10 persons were grazing the cattle and sitting under a tree relaxing.

Around one pm, it suddenly started pouring accompanied by thunder and lightning. As the intensity of rains increased, all of them ran for cover to the nearby Doddamma Thayi temple.

The lightning suddenly struck and in no time three people lay dead and seven were seriously injured. The villagers admitted all of them to the nearby hospitals immediately. However, three more succumbed to the injuries after failing to respond to the treatment. The remaining four were given first aid and shifted to hospitals in Mysuru.

The grief of the families of the deceased was uncontrollable, as within the blink of an eye they had all lost their family members due to nature’s fury. As the news spread, villagers from neighbouring villages gathered in large numbers in spite of heavy rain and seeing the relatives crying, tears streamed down their eyes, as they watched in shock at the passing away of the innocent people.

The final rites of all the six were performed this afternoon, according to the sources in the village.

Rs. 5 lakh compensation

The State Government has announced a compensation of Rs. 5 lakh each to the families of the six people who died due to lightning yesterday. This was announced by Tahsildar Mahesh who said that the injured will get proper treatment. He met the family of the victims and condoled the deaths.

MLA K. Venkatesh who also reached the spot said that the Government will release Rs. 4 lakh each and the remaining one lakh each will come from the Chief Minister’s Relief Fund. He announced that he would personally give Rs. 10,000 each to the family members.

JD(S) State Secretary K. Mahadev visited and condoled the deaths and announced Rs. 5,000 each to the family members.

State Virginia Tobacco Growers Association President B.V. Javaregowda said that there were a few among the victims who were registered tobacco growers and they will be given Rs 50,000 relief each.

“I am a student of First PUC in Government PU Composite College in Kushalnagar. Since it was a holiday, my father asked me to go and graze cattle. It started raining heavily and we all rain for cover to the nearby temple. Lightning struck and I was immediately blanked out. I did not know what happened later. Both my legs are burning and I am not able to bear the pain.”

—Injured victim, Vishwanath

“I am studying in sixth standard in Hunswadi Government School. Since, today was a holiday due to Valmiki Jayanti, I had gone to graze cattle. Suddenly it started pouring in the afternoon. About ten of us ran to take shelter in the temple.  Within no time lightning struck. At this time a few of them standing behind me fell on top of me. I fell down and then I did not know what happened.”

—Injured boy, 12-year-old Madesh