A tragic incident struck Madhya Pradesh&rsquo;s Khandwa district when lightning hit a Ganesh pandal, killing a 17-year-old boy and injuring three others on Thursday night.
The victims, mostly teenagers, had taken shelter inside the temporary pandal in Kharkhari-Rajgarh village around 9 to 9.30 p.m. to escape heavy rainfall. Moments later, a lightning bolt struck the structure, instantly claiming the life of Suresh Singh, 17.
Police said the information reached them late, between midnight and 12.30 a.m. The other three injured were rushed to the Pandhana Community Health Centre, where they are recovering. Their condition is said to be stable, though one remains under close observation.
Authorities noted that the pandal, built with metal frames and tarpaulin sheets, may have intensified the impact of the strike. District officials have ordered an inquiry into the safety of such temporary structures during the monsoon, and a disaster management team is expected to inspect the site before issuing new safety advisories for upcoming festivals.
This incident adds to the rising toll of lightning-related deaths across India this season. Experts have linked the surge to shifting climate patterns and increasing surface temperatures, which are driving more frequent and intense lightning activity, particularly in central and northern regions. Madhya Pradesh alone has reported several such cases this year, prompting urgent calls for stronger awareness campaigns and better early-warning systems. [Except for the headline, this article has not been edited by the Benefit News editorial team and is published directly from the IANS news feed]

Lightning kills teen at Ganesh pandal in MP

17-year-old dies, three injured after lightning strikes Ganesh pandal in Khandwa village

Lightning kills teen at Ganesh pandal in MP

17-year-old dies, three injured after lightning strikes Ganesh pandal in Khandwa village

August 29, 2025 | 14:40 IST