Lightning kills 3 in Tirupati

Tirupati: Heavy rains accompanied by lightning that lashed the district last night claimed three lives in Thottambedu mandal. The dead were identified as Muneendra (26), Dasi Reddy (26) and Gurava Reddy (46).

They were eking their livelihood as goat sellers and were from Sambaiapalle in Thottambedu mandal. They were returning home after the work when the lightning struck them.

The tragedy occurred around 12.30 a.m (late on Thursday night) when the trio took shelter under a tree near RCP Residential School. They died on the spot and their death came to light after a few hours early in the morning of Friday after the rains stopped when the passersby noticed the bodies lying under the tree.

A pall of gloom descended on the sleepy village after the death of three persons with the shocked family members and relatives weeping inconsolably at the sudden death of the three. According to official sources, the district recorded an average rainfall of 22.7 mm (recorded at 8 a.m on Friday).

Puthalapattu recorded highest rainfall of 120 mm while 10 mandals received more than 50 mm rain fall, which include PTM (80), Tirupati (66), Molakalacheruvu, Pakala (both 65 mm each), Irala (60) and Chandragiri (56). Meanwhile, MET department indicated continuation of rains for another four or five days in the district.