As the weather condition worsens across Jharkhand with an orange alert sounded, a 27-year-old construction worker died after being struck by lightning at Barwadeeh under Hussainabad police station in Palamu district on Wednesday.
 

The victim, Ajit Kumar Paswan, was engaged in roof-casting work when the incident occurred.

Hussainabad police station officer Sanjay Yadav said, "Ajit was working at a construction site when lightning struck. He suffered critical injuries and died on the spot."

On Thursday, the state experienced widespread thunderstorm activity, particularly in Ranchi, Giridih, Palamu, East Singhbhum and Hazaribag. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) recorded the highest rainfall of 14.5 mm in Hazaribag and forecast more showers in the coming days.

 

IMD Ranchi head Abhishek Anand explained, "Rising temperatures have increased the moisture levels, leading to intense thunderstorm cloud formation. An anti-cyclone has also caused increased atmospheric pressure, contributing to regional instability. These conditions enhance the likelihood of cloud-to-ground lightning

strikes."

Anand highlighted the Chhotanagpur plateau's vulnerability to lightning strikes due to its elevation.