Teacher killed in lightning strike while riding bike

Time of India

16-05-2025

Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar: A senior teacher from a Zilla Parishad school in Yavatmal's Hiwara Sangam died after being struck by lightning while riding his motorcycle in the Malwada ghat area on Thursday.
An eyewitness had said the teacher was attending a phone call while riding the bike.
The incident occurred on the national highway connecting Mahur and Kinwat within the Mahur tehsil of Nanded district.
"The fatal lightning strike happened around 3pm during pre-monsoon showers that brought strong winds and intense lightning. The victim, identified as Sanjay Pandey, was on his way to his native village in Karanji.
He died on the spot," police said.
Local sources reported that people quickly gathered at the location following the incident. Eyewitnesses described a sudden and severe weather event characterised by heavy thunder that startled residents in the area.
Nanded district collector Dr Rahul Kardile said, "The report has been received from the gram sevak and after receiving the autopsy report a cheque of Rs 4 lakh will be given as compensation to the immediate kin of the victim."
by Taboola
by Taboola
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Local residents speculate that the lightning may have been drawn to the teacher because he was reportedly using his mobile phone during the thunderstorm.
When contacted, the Nahur police said they were currently in the process of recording statements related to this claim.
In the wake of this tragic event, the Nanded district administration has issued an advisory urging the public to refrain from using cellphones during thunderstorms.
Maharashtra has recently experienced the onset of pre-monsoon rains, which have already caused considerable damage to agricultural activities. Amidst this, legislative council's deputy chairman Neelam Gorhe, during her visit to Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar and Jalna districts on Friday, appealed for installation of lightning arresters in considerable numbers.
According to experts, using a cellphone during a thunderstorm isn't inherently dangerous, but it's often advised against because people might be more likely to be outside or near conductive objects while using their phone, increasing their risk of being struck.
However, landline phones can be risky during thunderstorms because the metal components in the phone and wiring can conduct electricity from a lightning strike.