Lightning strikes kill 47 in Telangana and Andhra Pradesh

Hyderabad: A total of 47 people have died in lightning strikes in the two Telugu states from May 16 last year. Of them, 23 died in a single day in AP last year. Sources say that the numbers would double if unreported deaths were taken into account.

While Hyderabad experienced severe thunderstorms this year, only one death was reported due to lightning, in Shamshabad.

According to the National Crime Records Bureau, 122 people died of lightning in Telangana and AP in 2014.

Excluding major disasters like the 2001 earthquake, lightning killed 34 per cent of all people who died due to natural calamities between 2001 and 2012 in India.

Though the Telugu speaking states see fewer deaths compared to west and central India, lightning remains the second largest natural killer after heat waves.

Experts say to avoid being hit by lightning during thunderstorms, it is best to stay indoors, stay away from objects that may conduct electricity, and avoid open areas and tall objects.