At least four individuals, including three family members, lost their lives in two separate incidents following a severe dust storm and pre-monsoon rain in Sheopur district, Madhya Pradesh. The first tragedy took place in Suswada village, where three farm workers perished as a tin shed collapsed amidst strong winds. The victims, guarding a moong crop field, sought refuge in the shed to shield themselves from the storm and rain. Unfortunately, a concrete wall adjacent to the structure collapsed due to the powerful winds, trapping and fatally injuring them.
In a heartbreaking turn of events, the deceased were identified as Bhima Adivasi (40), his wife Seema Adivasi (38), and their daughter-in-law Rajwati Adivasi (21). Tragically, another family member sustained injuries and was promptly taken to Kelwara Hospital in Rajasthan for medical attention. Following the collapse, a swift rescue operation was launched by police teams and local residents. Despite efforts to save them, three individuals were declared dead by doctors at the district hospital, with their bodies undergoing post-mortem examination.
Meanwhile, in a separate incident in the Salpura area, an autorickshaw parked by the roadside overturned during the storm, resulting in the tragic death of an elderly woman named Bharosi Bai Vaishnav (80). The storm wreaked havoc by uprooting numerous trees, damaging mud houses, disrupting power lines, and causing electricity outages in various parts of the district. Furthermore, fallen trees obstructed major roads, leading to traffic disruptions for hours.
The sudden rainfall, however, brought relief from the intense heat, with the maximum temperature in Sheopur dropping from 41 degrees Celsius earlier in the week to around 36 degrees on Friday. The Meteorological Department has predicted ongoing weather fluctuations, anticipating light to moderate rainfall, thunderstorms, and strong winds in isolated areas across Sheopur and neighboring districts within the next 24 hours.
