Six more killed by lightning in Telangana

Hyderabad, May 3 (IANS) Six more people died after being hit by lightning as thunderstorms lashed parts of Telangana on Tuesday.

Four people died of lightning strike in Karimnagar district, while two others were killed in Ranga Reddy district near Hyderabad.

For a third consecutive day, thunderstorms hit many parts of Telangana. Heavy rains with squally winds wreaked havoc, uprooting trees, felling electricity poles and disrupting power supply.

Lightning has claimed at least 11 lives in three days in the state.

Heavy rains also lashed many parts of Hyderabad and neighboring Ranga Reddy district in the evening.

The rains provided much respite to people reeling under heat wave conditions. However, the hailstorm damaged the mango crop, besides felling trees and electricity poles.

Three people were injured in a house collapse in Warangal district.

The met office has forecast light to moderate rains with squalls in parts of the state over next two days under the influence of upper air trough.

Large parts of the state still remain under the grip of heat wave, which has so far claimed 219 lives.