Raichur / Tumkur / Chikmagalur, April 19 (DHNS) : Heavy rainfall, accompanied by thunder and lightning, claimed the lives of three persons, in the last 24 hours across the State. A school student, a college student and a shepherd died of lightning.

Mahesh, 16, a ninth standard student and a resident of Malleshapura village in Kadur taluk, Chikmagalur district, had arrived at his grandmother’s place at Kanakatte village in Arasikere taluk. He died of lightning while playing in the fields.

A grievously injured Mahesh was rushed to the Kanakatte Primary Health Centre (PHC). According to eyewitnesses, due to delay in receiving medical attention and lack of doctors at the PHC, he succumbed. A large number of villagers gathered in front of the PHC and protested.

A first year BA student, Siddappa Bheemappa, 18, died of lightning at Uprala Gudihaala village in Raichur taluk on Friday.

Since the college remained closed on account of ‘Good Friday,’ Siddappa had accompanied his parents to the fields in the evening, when the incident occured. A case has been registered at the Yaragera police station.

Kavital village in Manvi taluk received good rainfall for some time, while the rest of the district witnessed gusty winds, accompanied with thunder and lightning post afternoon.

Siddalingappa, 50, a shepherd was struck by lightning at Manavalli village of Yedeyuru hobli in Kunigal taluk, while rearing his sheep on Thursday evening. A case has been registered at the Amruthuru police station.

Sakleshpur taluk in Hassan district also witnessed heavy rainfall, thunder and lightning on Friday evening. Several trees were uprooted leading to disruption in the movement of vehicles. An ox belonging to farmer B S Manjunath of Biradahalli village in the taluk was struck by lightning.