Lightning strikes house in Rohtak, damages property, family unharmed

Lightning struck a house in Kiloi Khas village, Rohtak district in Haryana, early Monday, causing significant damage and burning all electrical appliances. The incident occurred around 5:45 AM, leaving the family shaken but unharmed. The family was downstairs, while the children were at their maternal uncle’s house the previous evening. Despite the extensive damage, this fortunate event prevented any injuries.

Lightning strikes the chaubaara roof of Ravindra’s house, severely damaging it. He estimated the financial loss to be around ₹4-5 lakh. All electrical equipment, including wires and appliances, were burnt. The loud lightning sound woke him, and he found significant destruction. He appealed to the government for assistance, as the financial loss has overwhelmed the family.

Nearby homes were affected by the lightning strike. Advocate Keshavjit Atri, a neighbour, confirmed that Suresh Hooda’s house also suffered damage, with all electrical equipment destroyed. Fortunately, no one was sleeping upstairs, preventing injuries. The family remains in shock, and neighbours are calling for government help to compensate for the losses.

Vijay Kumar, Sarpanch of Kiloi Khas village, expressed concern over the situation. He stated the losses in Ravindra’s house are estimated at ₹4-5 lakh, but overall damages may be higher. He has informed local authorities and urged the government to provide financial aid to the affected families as soon as possible.

Krishna, a village resident, reported that her house was damaged in the incident, with all electrical appliances destroyed. She mentioned that her son was deeply disturbed by the accident and is still recovering from the shock. She appealed for government support, stating that her house was in ruins.

The lightning strike has shaken the community, with residents urging authorities to provide relief. While the financial losses are substantial, the villagers are relieved; there were no injuries or casualties. Local officials will assess the situation and determine the damage in the coming days.

The central part of India is more vulnerable to lightning hazards compared to Northeast or South India. One reason is the extensive mining activities in Central India, which create aerosols that contribute to lightning activity.

Additionally, the region experiences significant heating as the temperature starts increasing with the availability of moisture during the pre-monsoon period, leading to more lightning activity. Socio-economic factors also play a crucial role, such as the number of people exposed to lightning, especially those working in agriculture, as labourers, or grazers who spend long hours outside.

In contrast, in the Himalayan region, most lightning activity occurs at night when people are indoors, leading to fewer casualties. The convection process starts around 12 o'clock, and the majority of deaths occur between 2 o'clock and 7 o'clock in the central part of India.

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