SUBHASH MISHRA
Dhanbad, Aug 1: At least over a dozen devotees, most of them women and children, were injured as lightning struck a Lord Shiva’s temple premises in Pardha Rajwadi village under Balaipur block, around 15 km away from district headquarters on Monday.
Officials of the Baliapur police station said that the incident occurred at around 11 am when lightning struck the premises during heavy rains. Over a dozen devotees fell unconscious from the jolt on the spot.
They were immediately admitted to the nearby Balaipur Community Health Centre (CHC). Some of them were released after first aid. But five devotees were referred to Shahid Nirmal Mahto Medical College Hospital (SNMMCH) in Dhanbad for better treatment.
The doctors at SNMMCH emergency said that all of them were out of danger but have been shifted to a ward for precaution.
Amjhar Panchayat Mukhiya Dharmendra Rawani said that the Pardha Rajwadi Shiva temple is famous in the block. Since it was the 3rd Somvari (Monday), devotees in large numbers from surrounding villages Pardha, Khash Pardha, Sufaldih, and Kodadih had come to offer prayers to Lord Shiva.
Panic prevailed on the spot after lightning. However, some devotees swung into action quickly and sent the injured to a nearby CHC for treatment. The electric wiring of the temple was also badly damaged by lightning.
