Kolkata, July 25 -- The death toll from yesterday's thunderstorms and lightning strikes has risen to 18, mostly farmers, in the districts of Bankura, East Bardhaman, and West Medinipur in West Bengal, official sources said today.
The fatalities occurred while the victims were working in the fields harvesting Aman paddy and other crops, taking advantage of the monsoon rains, the sources added.
Of the total deaths, nine were reported from Bankura - a district often regarded as drought-prone - six from East Bardhaman (Purba), and three from West Medinipur. All the victims were men, who were in the open fields and tried to protect themselves from the storm and lightning in the South Bengal districts.
Nine people were killed in Bankura alone ...