Karnataka’s Minister for Environment and Forest, and also Bidar district In-charge Eshwar Khandre, visited Navadagi village in Bhalki taluk on April 26. Two youths from the village had died in a lightning strike on April 23. He announced a compensation of ₹5 lakh each for the bereaved families.
During his visit, Mr. Khandre consoled the family members of Revansiddappa, a resident of Navadagi, and handed over a compensation cheque of ₹5 lakh. He said similar relief has been arranged for the family of Yallalinga, a native of Sigarthalli village in Jewargi taluk.
The two youths were struck by lightning while taking shelter under a mango tree in a farmland amid sudden rainfall. They died on the spot, officials said.
Expressing grief over the incident, Mr. Khandre termed it deeply distressing and conveyed condolences to the families of the deceased. He directed the district and taluk administrations to intensify public awareness on safety and precautionary measures during lightning.
