Selfie-Takers Atop Watchtower Among 68 Killed By Lightning Across India

Separate incidents of lightning in India have claimed the lives of over 68 people, including 11 selfie-takers perched atop a watchtower. The lightning fatalities were reported from the northern Indian states of Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh and parts of Rajasthan.

The lightning bolt struck near a watchtower at Amer Palace, a popular tourist spot of Jaipur in Rajasthan Sunday while dozens of people were atop the tower. More than 27 people were reported to have been on the tower and the wall of the fort when the lightning struck, NDTV reported. Many people sustained injuries as they tried to jump off the tower in panic.

"So far, 11 people have died while another 11-12 persons are injured," Jaipur Police Commissioner Anand Srivastava told news outlet Indian Express.

"The incident took place around 7.30 pm today (Sunday) when lightning struck a watch tower situated in the hills opposite the Amer Fort. Nine bodies were found on the spot after the accident. The watchtower was situated on the opposite side of the Amer fort and most of those dead are youngsters," Shivnarayan, a senior police officer, told the publication.

Apart from the incident at the Amer Palace, there were reports of nine more deaths from lightning across various parts of Rajasthan Sunday.

"Many people have lost their lives due to lightning in some areas of Rajasthan. Deeply saddened by the demise of people. I express my deepest condolences to the families of those killed," Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi said in a tweet Monday.

Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot has announced compensation for the families of those who died in the lightning incidents.

According to preliminary reports, a total of 41 people have been killed after lightning strikes across the state of Uttar Pradesh. The lightning has also claimed seven lives in different districts of Madhya Pradesh on Sunday, as reported by India Today.

According to estimates from India Meteorological Department, since 2004, the country reports nearly 2,000 lightning deaths every year. It is estimated to be twice the number of deaths recorded since the late 1960s. SD Pawar, project director of thunderstorm dynamics from the Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology, said the increase in lightning-related incidents has a direct link to the climate crisis and the availability of more moisture over land due to rising temperatures.

Meanwhile, many scientific studies say that mobile phone usage during lightning does not particularly attract danger. However, when there's lightning, people are advised against standing in a place where their bodies are taller than other objects present in the area.