Nagpur: Two cousin farmers were killed after lightning struck a neem tree near a village temple during a sudden thunderstorm in Tishti Khurd village of Kalmeshwar taluka on Saturday afternoon.The deceased have been identified as Tiburaj Kanphade (64) and Laxman Kanphade (53). The tragic incident has cast a pall of gloom over the village.According to villagers, the two had left home on Saturday morning to graze cattle in the farmlands surrounding the village. At around 3 pm, the weather deteriorated rapidly, with heavy rain, gusty winds and frequent thunderclaps sweeping across the area.Attempting to escape the downpour, the cousins took shelter at a temple on the village outskirts. Moments later, lightning struck a neem tree located behind the temple, resulting in a powerful electric discharge that killed both the men on the spot.When the duo did not return home by evening, concerned family members launched a search. Around 9 pm, villager Raju Asole noticed cattle roaming unattended near the temple and went to investigate. He discovered the bodies of the two farmers and alerted other villagers.As news of the tragedy spread, residents rushed to the spot. Namdev Kanphade, son of Tiburaj Kanphade, informed Mohapa police station. Police subsequently registered a case of accidental death and initiated further formalities.
