Rains and Lightning Claims Nine Lives in Telangana

Heavy rains in Telangana have led to tragic fatalities, with at least eight people reported dead from lightning strikes amid the severe weather. The relentless downpour has caused widespread flooding, particularly in Hyderabad, where rainfall reached 125.5 mm, resulting in significant waterlogging and disruptions. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued yellow and red alerts for various districts, warning of continued thunderstorms and lightning. Notably, two individuals, including a 15-year-old girl, were killed in Jogulamba Gadwal district during separate lightning incidents while working in fields. The overall increase in lightning-related deaths in India reflects broader climate change concerns, with a reported rise in fatalities from 38 to 61 annually per state over the past decade. Meanwhile, initiatives like large-scale palm tree planting in Odisha aim to mitigate lightning strikes by using these trees as natural conductors.