MP: Lightning kills woman, niece in Shahdol while gathering Mahua flowers
Bhopal/Shahdol, June 20 In a tragic incident amid shifting pre-monsoon weather, a woman and her eight-year-old niece lost their lives after being struck by lightning in Odari village under Papaundh police station in Shahdol district in Madhya Pradesh.
Another woman accompanying them sustained critical injuries, plunging the village into mourning.
According to police reports, 50-year-old Itto Bai, wife of Dharamdas Singh Gond, was collecting 'Mahua' flowers with her niece Safina Singh, daughter of Sukhsen Singh Gond, under a tree nearly a kilometre from their home.
The weather suddenly turned adverse with dark clouds, thunder, and lightning. The lightning bolt struck close to the group, proving fatal for both Itto Bai and young Safina, who died on the spot. The third woman suffered a severe electric shock and was seriously injured.
Local villagers immediately alerted family members and the police. A team from Papaundh police station reached the spot, initiated an investigation, and shifted the bodies for further formalities.
This tragedy comes as Madhya Pradesh experiences intensified pre-monsoon activity.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued alerts for thunderstorms, lightning, and rain across 38 districts of the state. Thunderstorms and rain were recorded in the last 24 hours (ending 08:30 IST on June 20, 2026) in all districts of Rewa, Shahdol, Jabalpur (except Narsinghpur and Seoni), and Gwalior divisions, besides Jhabua, Ratlam, Neemuch, Agar, Rajgarh, Vidisha, Sagar, and Damoh.
Spells of storms and rain are likely in several districts, including Bhopal, Raisen, Sehore, Rajgarh, Vidisha, Indore, Burhanpur, Khandwa, Agar-Malwa, Shajapur, Dewas, Narmadapuram, Betul, Harda, Gwalior, Guna, Shivpuri, Datia, Ashoknagar, Morena, Bhind, Sheopur, Jabalpur, Katni, Chhindwara, Seoni, Narsinghpur, Balaghat, Mandla, Dindori, Pandhurna, Anuppur, Sagar, Panna, Damoh, Chhatarpur, Tikamgarh, and Niwari.
Moderate thunderstorms with lightning and winds up to 60 kmph are likely over Vidisha, Rajgarh, Guna, and Raisen. Light thunderstorms accompanied by lightning and light rain (winds up to 40 kmph) are expected in the afternoon over Bhopal, Sehore, Dewas, Indore, Shajapur, Ashoknagar, Dindori, Anuppur, and Shahdol.
An 'Orange Alert' for strong winds has been issued specifically for Sehore and Agar-Malwa districts.
The Southwest Monsoon is yet to arrive in Madhya Pradesh and is currently stalled near Telangana.
Meteorologists indicate that if the system gains momentum in the next two to three days, the monsoon may reach the state around June 25-about 8 to 10 days later than the normal onset around June 15.
So far, the state has received 44% less rainfall than normal, with 45 districts lagging behind in precipitation figures.
Authorities have urged residents, especially those in rural areas, to avoid open fields, tall trees, and water bodies during thunderstorms to prevent further casualties.
— IANS
Reader Comments
Heartbreaking news. Imagine a mother-daughter duo going to collect Mahua flowers, a daily livelihood activity for many in rural MP, and never returning home. The IMD alert came but how many in remote Odari village would have heard it? We need better last-mile dissemination of weather warnings in tribal areas. Rest in peace to the departed.
Monsoon arriving late is one thing, but these lightning strikes are increasing every year. I've read climate change is making pre-monsoon thunderstorms more intense. Mahua collection is a crucial source of income for many tribal families - they can't just stop going because of weather. Government should provide lightning arresters in vulnerable villages or at least set up community shelters. 😔
Very sad. But I feel the article itself is a wake-up call - 38 districts under alert, 44% less rainfall, and yet we see tragedies like this. Rural awareness programs about lightning safety should be mandatory during monsoon season. Those simple tips of not standing under trees or staying in open fields can save lives. Poor family must be devastated.
Another tragic reminder of how vulnerable our rural communities are. One moment they are doing their routine work, next moment nature shows its fury. The injured woman needs proper medical care - hope the district administration is ensuring her treatment. RIP Itto Bai and little Safina. 🕯️
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