Periyapatna: A woman and her two cows, who were taking shelter under a tree to protect themselves from rain were killed when lightning struck the tree yesterday evening. While the two cows died on the spot, the woman breathed her last while being shifted to the Taluk Hospital.

The deceased woman is Vinoda (30), wife of Chitrashekar and a resident of Sathyagala village, Kasaba Hobli in Periyapatna taluk.

Yesterday afternoon, Vinoda took her cows for grazing to the field belonging to her father-in-law Chandrappachar in Survey No. 79/1A.

At about 4 pm, heavy rains accompanied with gusty winds, thunder and lightning began pour all of a sudden forcing Vinoda and the two cows to take shelter under a tree during which lightning struck the tree killing the two cows on the spot and injuring Vinoda.  Though villagers shifted her to Periyapatna Taluk Hospital, the doctors declared her dead.

Panchayat Development Officer Veerabhadrashetty, Revenue Inspector Panduranga, Village Administrative Officer H.S. Sunil Kumar and others visited the spot.

Veterinarian Dr. Somaiah conducted post-mortem of the cows.

Post-mortem of Vinoda’s body was conducted today and the body was handed over to her family members and a compensation of Rs. 5 lakh to Vinoda’s family members and Rs. 37,500 each as compensation to the two cows will be provided after receiving the post-mortem reports, said the officials.