Overview
- Five women were killed and four others injured by lightning while sowing paddy in Jharkhand on Sunday, with three deaths in Patratu block (Ramgarh) and two in Maheshpur-Rampur (Godda).
- Patratu police identified the three Ramgarh victims as Rekha Devi (45), Roshni Kumari (21) and Sushanti Devi (34), while the two Godda victims remain unidentified pending confirmation.
- Local officers said the strikes hit workers during routine fieldwork and emergency responders are treating the injured and working to confirm identities and circumstances.
- The India Meteorological Department issued a yellow alert through Aug 3–6 forecasting thunderstorms, lightning, heavy rain and gusty winds of 40–50 kmph for several districts including Ramgarh, Bokaro and Hazaribag.
- Officials warned that the forecast raises near-term risks to agricultural communities and urged people to avoid outdoor work during storms and follow local safety advisories.